Why Small Businesses Matter in Westport: Winfield Street Italian Deli

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Why Small Businesses Matter

Shop small, do big things for your community

Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!

You're IT Winfield Street Italian Deli!

Thee questions with Breno Donatti, owner of Winfield Street Italian Deli.

Why did you start your business?

I had been in the restaurant business for about 7 years and I was frustrated with it. I was fresh off selling my restaurant in Wilton (Bistro Seven) and had done short management stints at Barcelona, J House and Mill Street. I was just interested in cooking simple, but phenomenal sandwiches and be able to interact with people without the pressures and pretension of fine dining. So I decided to buy into this hole in the wall, tucked away little deli in East Norwalk. It had a great tradition (it was continuously open since 1925) of serving street food with integrity and quality. I thought the place just needed a little love and a fresh coat of paint. That was 2015 and I’ve been learning and evolving since then. 3 years and 3 new locations later, we have become a purveyor of specialty coffee (Counter Culture Coffee) and have focused on refining the brand, internal culture and the menu. I feel like the business evolves as I evolve and I’m blessed to have an incredible team of people working at the company, so I can work on new ideas, reinforce established culture, and think of the future of the company. I also have an amazing business partner, Chris, who is the person that keeps us focused on the customer experience and business goals.

Best selling product/service?

We are super proud of our partnership with Counter Culture Coffee. They have an amazing team and training program. Our staff goes to their training lab in NYC 1-2 times monthly and their classes and tastings are super innovative and forward thinking. Last week I attended a coffee tasting that featured “smuggled” Yemeni coffee from a contact of theirs.  Our staff is excited about coffee and our customers have responded really well. Our coffee sales represent up to 35% of overall sales. 

How many people do you employ? Any youth or seniors from the community?

We currently employ 14 people spread across three locations. My staff is my proudest accomplishment in this business. They are a smart, hard-working, and loving bunch. They are transparent, work with integrity, and certainly have a lot of passion for what they do, and above all, put up with my flaws. I really feel lucky and give thanks often for working with my team. My team’s profile is very diverse. We have people from Mexico, Peru, Romania, Puerto Rico, Dominica Republic, Brazil, Guatemala, Italy and the US. They bring a tremendous wealth of culture and experience and our only rule in the company is to be honest. Without honesty, we can’t grow. I don’t mind someone being late sometimes because they overslept or drank too much... but if we are not open and honest about it, we can’t never correct it. After all, I mess up a lot and they are very forgiving with me as well. I really feel that we are all on a journey together and God has put these people working together for a reason and so everyone can learn from each other. 

Winfield Street Italian Deli is located at 13 Post Road West in Westport. Visit them online here.

Winfield Street Italian Deli tags Westport Farmers' Market!

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Submitted by Westport, CT

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