It’s been 25 years of friendship, family – and of course food!
Paul Nunneri and David Weisberg of Cavaretta’s Italian Deli are throwing a party to celebrate their quarter century of partnership.
On Saturday, August 9, from 11 am to 4 pm, Cavaretta’s will offer $5 small Italian subs, $1.50 small homemade cannoli and $1.50 large meatballs to their customers as a thank you for their patronage all these years. There will be a toy for every child. Weisberg said he “bought out Amazon” of slinkies, jump ropes, balls, spinners – every kind of toy from the 70’s. There will also be free ice cream tastings.
Paul and Joe Nunneri bought Cavaretta’s back in 1983 and the whole family worked there. Their sister worked the counter, and their mother, Marlys Nunneri, worked the back room doing platters. (She passed away last week and will be missed.)
Weisberg at the time was working for another Italian deli, but came on board in 1985 as a deli counter clerk, stock boy, clean up boy and general helper. He also had some experience in catering from working at another Italian deli, so Paul put him to work making deli platters, antipasto salads and more.
“We all became friends working together. But Paul and I just clicked and had a special bond,” said Weisberg. “I was part of the family before we became partners.”
The time came for Joe to retire, and he said David was the only one he would consider selling his share to. So in 1999, “I had two kids and a pregnant wife,” said Weisberg. “It was a big career decision but a great opportunity!”
He took the offer and in January 2000 became co-owner of Cavaretta’s.
For the past 25 years the two have continued to grow the business and build outreach to the community.
Both Paul and David are involved in valley nonprofits – David with the West Valley Warner Center Chamber of Commerce, Valley Cultural Center and Volunteers Cleaning Communities, and Paul, who is 40 years sober, speaks to a lot of detox centers and even jails. They won the Small Business of the Year Award two years ago from United Chambers.
But the focus is still on the family business. “We’ve been through it all with our customers – 9-11, COVID, economic stress, death, divorce, firings. People are comforted by food. They come to us as a local place that is a “memory box” of growing up in the valley among family,” said Weisberg.
Cavaretta’s is located at 22045 Sherman Way, just west of Topanga in Canoga Park. Call (818) 340-6626 or visit cavarettasdeli.com for more information.
