ROBERTSHAM – Gino’s Paesa Pizzeria Restaurant first opened its doors in November 1 in 1983, Robertsham.
It was on the other side of Harry Street and it moved to its present location four years later (1987). Gino Mazza, the owner confirmed that the first two years weren’t plain sailing as most businesses were closing down.
“I didn’t know whether we would survive as it was a new Italian business in the area. However, our approach to business kept us abreast – we give value for your money, we also keep our prices as low as possible and make sure the staff is happy,” explained Gino.
He said through word of mouth the restaurant has gain popularity in South, “Italian food was foreign to most people, however, now we have lots of customers across every race.”
The restaurant, which was initially called “Paesa”, which is how you would address someone from the same village as yourself, moved premises to the industrial area across the road, where a central kitchen was located upstairs from the restaurant. Gino’s was now officially called “Gino’s” thanks to the customers who could not pronounce “Paesa” and so used the name of the restaurant’s bar instead.
One of the longest serving employees, Baltazar Mathe (54), has worked in the restaurant for the past 29 years. “I started as a general cleaner back then, now I am dispatch manager,” said Baltazar. He said the family has been good to him and that’s why he is loyal to them as well. “Gino is like my father, in 1993 he paid the deposit for my flat, I have car now because of him. The relationship has been great. When it comes to food here, our food speaks for itself, that is why this is a family restaurant and people love it,” he concluded.
The Mazza family is proud of the fact that many of their original customers are loyal patrons who still frequent their restaurant, often with their children and grandchildren.
There is no doubt that many sacrifices have to be made in order to run a restaurant, but the owners of Gino’s believe that Gino’s is more than a meal, it is a family orientated restaurant, where they do not subscribe to trends. Their ethos is serving consistently good food at affordable prices, no matter what your age or stage.
