Familiar Faces Found at The Village Deli in Pinzone's Italian Village

Mary Ann and John Nelson have been an integral part of the  Fairhope for 42 years. They are the founders of Mary Ann’s Deli which is still thriving in the area today. They enjoyed building the business with the love and support of the community that they consider part of their extended family. Their original operation started out in what now houses Mr. Gene’s Beans Coffee and Ice Cream on De La Mare. Just a year after opening the deli, John opened a second location in the Springhill area of Mobile.   After the lease was up on the original location, the Nelson’s purchased what was a Gas Station on Church Street between Fairhope Aveune and De La Mare. The couple turned the old “Filling Station” into their new deli, incorporated a courtyard and added retail space on either side. 
After eight successful years in Mobile, John sold the Springhill spot and rejoined Mary Ann to focus on the Fairhope deli. They sold the deli in 2007  when they decided it was time to retire.
The Nelson’s enjoyed family and traveling for a short while but they were tired of being retired. When their daughter Regina informed them that she was going into business in Mobile, they  decided to offer their assistance and get back in the swing of things. They made the daily drive to Mobile for about three years and enjoyed being involved in the daily activeness of Regina’s Kitchen. 
The Nelson’s actually live right in the heart of Downtown Fairhope between what used to be Mary Ann’s Deli and Pinzone’s Italian Village. Pinzone’s Italian Village is one of the newer additions to Fairhope’s landscape - an actual footpath from De la Mare to Fairhope Avenue lined with Italian inspired culinary options. During the past year, the Nelson’s have gotten to know Chef Scott Dumas, executive chef and general manager of Pinzone’s Italian Village. John Nelson inquired about the Deli located within the Village and the couple negotiated an agreement to operate the Village Deli for Chef Dumas. They took the lead, came up with a menu and the Village Deli reopened March 1st of this year under the supervision of John and Mary Ann Nelson. The Nelson’s rallied thier faithful troupe of co-workers including Maiben Haas and Barbara Corte, whom have been by their sides since the beginning of their deli days.
The menu at the deli consists of a variety of sandwiches including a muffaletta, french dip, rueben, grilled cheese along with two signature sandwiches - the Villager and the De La Mare. Their featured salad sandwiches include chicken salad and tuna salad which can be served on whole wheat or rye bread, sour dough or a croissant. Salads to choose from are a garden salad, chef salad, spinach salad or the trio salad plate which allows you to choose from a variety of prepared salads complimented by fresh fruit with poppy seed dressing. A soup of the day is also offered.
To-go orders can be placed for pick up and the Village Deli also provides local delivery. You can also buy in bulk. Chicken, tuna, potato or pasta salad, cole slaw and fruit are available by the 1/2 pint, pint or quart. The Village Deli at Pinzone’s Italian Village is open Monday through Saturday from 11am until 2pm. The Village Deli @ Pinzone’s Italian Village, Downtown Fairhope (251) 929-3354

The Feo's mission to provide Premium EVOO

Vitina and Stephano Feo are business owners with an enduring passion for keeping their heritage alive and educating the public about what the olive oil industry is really about. Vitina was born and raised in Venezuela while Stephano is from New Jersey. They met in California while Vitina was studying at UCLA. They married, started a family and came to live in Gulf Shores, Alabama to be closer to family that had already settled in the area. Prior to 2012, Stephano’s focus was on his accounting practice and Vitina was busy home schooling their children while working from home for a technology company.
During a recent visit to Italy, Stephano and Vitina happened to cross paths with a distant relative of Vitina’s father’s family. He insisted that the couple come visit the family’s olive mill. They learned that the son of the family was trying to promote their olive oil in Canada. After the Feo’s returned home they started comparing the oil that the Giaramida family was producing to what was being sold here in the United States. That market research uncovered a quite a difference between the family’s olive oil and olive oil that was currently on shelves for public consumption. Further research into the industry itself revealed many differences - none of which they believed were cause to celebrate. These findings were part of the reason the Feos decided it was an opportune time to introduce a quality olive oil in the United States.
The couple knew that in order to get this product into stores, people must taste it. Their first introduction to the public was at an annual community event, the Mamma Mia cookoff - a celebration of Daphne’s Italian heritage sponsored by the city’s educational enrichment foundation. The response to the product spurred their initiative to bring the oil to local market shelves. Their hard work along with in store samplings have allowed them placement at Joe Patti’s Seafood and Apple Market in Pensacola, three Piggly Wiggly in the Birmingham area in addition to the Piggly Wiggly stores in Fairhope, Greer’s Fairhope Market, all of the Rouses Markets in Alabama and two locations in Foley, A Better Way Health Store and Burris Farm.

The family oil was branded Papa Vince in honor and appreciation of Grandpa Vincenzo Biondo who started as an apprentice in the olive orchards of the Castello Rampinzeri in Santa Ninfa, Italy. He mastered the art of raising the nocellara olive and the artisan trade of producing extra virgin olive oil. He often referred to his olive oil as “liquid gold”. 

In 2008, the operation’s pressing facilities were updated to meet growing demand and also to  ensure the highest quality product. There is no waste at their facility. Byproducts consist only of compost used to fertilize the orchard and olive pellets which are a source of clean heating.
The Feo’s company is Mamma Mia USA and the product is distributed out of their warehouse in Gulf Shores. The product is grown, pressed and bottled on the property in Sicily. Their oil is contains immeasurable nutrients, polyphenols and antioxidants. Papa Vince’s extra virgin olive oil is 100% organic, is totally free of additives and is not blended with other oils like its competitors.
But the ultimate proof is in the taste the product. It’s flavorful and full bodied. You can taste and smell the freshness, the unique quality because it is not mixed with anything else. It is freshly squeezed olive. My words cannot fully describe the uniqueness of this products. To experience its’ full essence, you must taste it yourself. 
Mamma Mia USA, 3757 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores (251) 269-6000
Facebook “Papa Vince Extra Virgin Olive Oil” • www.papavince.com

My Place is NOT moving next to Piggly Wiggly

The establishment that is scheduled to open later this month in the Plantation Pointe Shopping Center is PLOW.

I sat down with Bobby Kilpatrick and Robert Yarbrough recently to get the 411 on what was really going on and plans for the future. 

Below is a copy of the article that was published in the April 1st Eat Beat (no April Foolin' here!)

Bobby Kilpatrick & Robert Yarbrough of My Place

My Place, the bar in Downtown Fairhope is closing. Yes, closing. This dive bar at the corner of Bancroft and Equality which many have come to know and love will be history at the end of the month. The individuals that own the property on which the building is located have a different vision for what they want to see happen in that space. Simply stated, their vision does not include a bar.
After attempts to find another location downtown, owners Robert Yarbrough and Bobby Kilpatrick have accepted the fact that My Place is just not meant to be - right now. The main concern throughout this whole process has been their employees - their work family.
These people worked long hours together, they played together. They have traditional nuclear families which include spouses and children and My Place has provided these people the opportunity to earn a living. This team, these families, were the catalyst fueling My Place owners to relentlessly pursue a way to continue to provide them with this opportunity.
Kilpatrick, along with two other partners, is putting the finishing touches on another business that is located on the east side of Highway 98. The name of that business is Plow. It is a bar and it will also be a music venue that will regularly feature artists from all over the Southeast.
Yarbrough, who also owns The Wash House in Point Clear, is opening another restaurant in Mobile called The Noble South. It is located on Dauphin Street near Bienville Square. It should open around the same time Plow is scheduled to open.
Both Kilpatrick and Yarbrough are at peace with the way things have panned out. They are pleased to be able to provide continual employment for their work families and relieved to have the luxury of time on their side to resurrect My Place.
So, for now, My Place is lying in wait. The beloved bar will make a comeback. When the time is right.
Robert and Bobby K would also like to invite you to join them and their staff as they make plans for the ultimate and final celebration of five wonderful years of business. Three days of fun and frolic will kick off on Thursday, April 24th with the 5th Annual Beast Feast - an adventure in grilling with free food for everyone. Live entertainment is scheduled for Friday, April 25th with one last hip hip hurrah for the My Place as we know it on Saturday, April 26th.
My Place, 68 North Bancroft, Fairhope (251) 928-1300 • Facebook “My Place Downtown”