A Spring Bank Small Business Feature
There’s nothing better than a classic New York slice from your favorite mom-and-pop shop, and that’s exactly what you get from Da Nonna Rosa in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Anthony Sagos and his brothers opened the restaurant and banquet hall in 2011, priding themselves on being 100% family-owned and operated. Da Nonna Rosa’s success transformed the brothers’ small business journey, prompting them to form Brooklyn Bros Corp and open three more restaurants under their new LLC.
“I worked in restaurants all my life. My brother Teddy and I worked at the same restaurant at one point and we were both managers, and I was in college at the time. One day, we turned to each other and said, ‘We should definitely do something on our own,’” Anthony tells us.
Shortly after that, Anthony and Teddy started their small business, Da Nonna Rosa. They were later joined by their brothers Paul, who worked in the restaurant industry, and Peter, who was studying to be a physical therapist. Da Nonna Rosa serves a variety of Italian fare but is especially known for its traditional New York-style pizza with a thin crust and Italian cheeses. Opening a successful pizzeria in the pizza capital of New York (and arguably, the country) was no easy feat. Still, the brothers were confident in each other and willing to take the risk.
“What really sets us apart is the family-owned and operated aspect. We get to know all the customers; I could tell you the names of most people who walk into the restaurant. You can go anywhere and grab a slice of pizza, but when you gain loyalty and respect from your customers, that makes you stand out. We also take ingredients very seriously. My brother Teddy and I took the dough recipe to heart, focusing on thin crust, light sauce, and high-quality cheese,” says Anthony.
A warm, welcoming environment and a delicious family recipe? Count us in! Anthony and his brothers genuinely serve the community, helping feed hundreds of frontline workers and gaining popularity for sharing their famous vodka ravioli pizza recipe on Good Morning America. Da Nonna Rosa stands out as a must-try spot and as a symbol of the community.
Under the Brooklyn Bros Corp name are three more restaurants: Simply Greek, Nonna’s Pizza, and Anatoli 56, all made possible by the success of Da Nonna Rosa. When the Sagos brothers came to us in search of a New York banking partner, we were enthusiastic to support them with a commercial real estate loan to buy the building that Da Nonna Rosa occupies.
“We’ve been with Spring Bank since our family friend introduced us, so almost four years together. Spring Bank makes you feel like family, and I think that’s why we fit in so well. Everyone made us feel comfortable, and everything went smoothly,” Anthony tells us.
As a community bank in New York, we love helping local small businesses reach their goals. We look forward to Brooklyn Bros Corp’s continued success and encourage you to stop by Da Nonna Rosa to try their popular grandma slice. If you’re in the mood for Greek or Mediterranean cuisine, visit Simply Greek and Anatoli 56 for delicious food with the same Sagos hospitality!
Interested in expanding your small business with a commercial real estate loan? Spring Bank is here for you. Visit us in the Bronx or Brooklyn, or contact us today to discuss how we can work together to meet your small business needs or explore our personal checking and personal savings account options.