Cardinal Sigitas TamkevičiusLithuanian Cardinal, Former Soviet Prisoner of Conscience & Champion of Religious Freedom

#SelfMade Umbertos Clamhouse Wix Story

Name: #SelfMade Umbertos Clamhouse Wix Story
Uploaded: 2015-12-07T14:36:36+00:00
Duration: 1 min 1 s
Channel: Cardinal Sigitas Tamkevičius
Description: In this first‑person monologue, Robert Ionello, the current owner of Umberto’s Clam House, recounts the restaurant’s origins and his personal connection…

7 Dec 2015 · 1 min

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In this first‑person monologue, Robert Ionello, the current owner of Umberto’s Clam House, recounts the restaurant’s origins and his personal connection to it. He explains that his father, Umberto, founded the eatery in 1972 and describes childhood memories of family dinners at the shop. Ionello emphasizes the work ethic his father instilled—hard work equals success—and highlights the deep, multigenerational relationships he maintains with customers who have been coming since the 1970s, as well as their children and grandchildren. He stresses that these personal connections are the core of the restaurant business. Finally, he reflects on the broader importance of preserving Little Italy’s cultural heritage, noting that every business on the street works hard to keep the neighborhood’s traditions alive.

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I'm Robert Ionello, and I'm the owner of Umberto's Clam House. My father, Umberto, opened this restaurant in 1972. I have memories of being young, five, six, seven years old. You know, coming to dinner, my mother would bring us in, and we would sit down as a family and have dinner with my father, who was working. My father installed a work ethic in me, that working hard equals success. I have customers here that started out in the 70s, and they still come to this day. Their children come to this day, their grandchildren. And I know them. I know who they are. I know their story. To me, it's the most important part of the restaurant business. It's the connection you make with your customer. New York City needs and wants a little Italy. Every business on this street works very hard to continue the traditions, to try and keep this neighborhood alive.