The Italian market also will add a fine-wine room and caves where some things grow better with age.
By SHARON L. BOND
Published October 17, 2004
ST. PETERSBURG - Mazzaro Coffee and Italian Market is expanding again, adding a patio to its store at 2909 22nd Ave. N and creating interior aging caves for beef and cheese.
"It will be an open-air cafe," said Kurt Cuccaro, one of the market's owners, and have about 20 tables. It is expected to be open by Dec. 1.
Mazzaro is a popular destination, a specialty food shop sitting in a mostly industrial area. It often is crowded as regulars from as far away as Orlando shop for crusty bread, just the right type of olives, cheeses and wines, deli sandwiches or one of the take-home meals. It has some seating space at the bar now where deli items are sold for lunch.
The patio is being built in front of the shop, facing 22nd Avenue N, an area previously used for parking. The main entrance was moved to 23rd Avenue during an expansion in 2002.
Cuccaro said the patio will have walls 4 feet high and a roof, leaving the top sides open. A fountain will be installed in the middle of the space. The market plans to use the patio to seat diners who will have an expanded menu for staying at the market to eat.
Plans also call for the new space to be used for special events, such as wine tastings. Cooking classes could be part of the future, Cuccaro said. He owns the market with his parents, Sam and Pat Cuccaro.
Part of the interior space Mazzaro has been using for storage will be changed to retail. This is where the aging caves come in. Cuccaro said there will be a room for aging cheese and one for aging beef. These rooms are different from coolers because not all the humidity is removed and temperatures are not as cold as those in a cooler.
"People will be able to look in," said Cuccaro. "We're expanding our wine selection to include a fine-wine room." In all, about 2,000 square feet that had been used for storage will be switched to retail.
The addition of the patio and expansion of the eat-in menu could lead to longer hours, but as yet no decision has been made to change the closing time of 6 p.m. on weekdays. Mazzaro opens at 9 a.m. daily including Saturday, when it closes at 2 p.m. The shop is not open on Sunday.
Cuccaro said the family gets queries about expanding to other locations.
"We've had a lot of people approach us from different cities and different states. We are kind of weighing it out," he said. "Our main concern is this store here."
