Today we’d like to introduce you to Dino DiFrancesco.
Hi Dino, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Opened in 1982 named after the year Italy won the World Cup in 1982.
Berardino the original owner who still owns it today has built a strong reputation. From providing great food, great service Coppa 82 in the area is a staple. We still operate this business the same way since opening. We are still cash only, we have free ATMs for customers to use. We serve big portions and fresh food made to order.
From 1982-2012 we were open 7 days a week from 11am-2am. In 2012 we did have a catastrophic fire which basically destroyed the building. Thankful for the firefighters who did their best. Most of the building pictures and memories were saved. It took a long four years of an insurance battle to reopen even though fire marshals cleared the fire as an accident, and some sort of electrical shortage In 2017 we reopened. Ben shortly after Covid hit and almost put us under. Luckily our great following of customers and a few government programs kept us alive. Here we are still continuing to serve great food and great service. Currently Bernardino’s now retired and myself, his son is currently running it keeping it alive. I’ve been running for about eight years. Still have a few challenges, but I’m used to it. From inflation, occasional staff shortages and who knows what God has the store we’re still here going strong
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Many struggles it’s part of the business.
I don’t even know where to start.
I guess the biggest challenge was the fire in 2012. After four long years of an insurance battle, we didn’t know what to do or how to approach it however, we reopened thinking we could continue where we left off. However, in this four years, the world changed. We managed changed our hours. Just a dinner shift no longer did 11 AM to 2 AM. And we are not closed on Mondays so we got a little break because that life work balance is important. Next biggest hurdle was Covid for whatever reason the local government thought restaurants were the dirtiest places to be. However, if you were to look at our health inspection, history reports, we are one of the cleanest well maintained restaurants in the area. We did what we had to do and we overcame that lovely Covid hurdle. Then came the next one was the inflation people felt to go to the grocery stores and so did we from our vendor skyrocketing prices and product availability was scarce we had to switch things around on the fly but still made it work. Then running a family own business is tough working with family however when life comes trying to have to put the business on hold, but can’t because people rely on the the job and you have to be open so a lot of sacrifices are to be made from missing parties, communions weddings it sucks to be Frank. However keeping the business alive is the most important and doing your best is all you can do.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We are an Italian restaurant which opened in 1982. Berardino, my father came from Italy in the 70s spoke no English came with nothing worked hard. Harder than most to say the least. And back then he was working two jobs finally found enough money to buy a pizza shop then sell it bought another sold it then landed here in Downingtown and opened up Coppa 82 in October 1982. Myself, Dino being the son of the first generation and growing up here in America, there was a little bit of disconnect between my parents and I, however as I got older, I realized what was sacrificed. I went to immaculate out of university graduated in 2016 with a criminology degree and associates and sociology inspiring to be a police officer however, during my college time the restaurant was burnt down and I was fortunate enough to focus on my studies and still work part-time.. when graduating it was time to reopen I put my career dreams on the side because family always comes first no matter what with the help of my one sister Gabriella we helped my father reopen his restaurant. To be honest what we’re proud of is who we are we don’t care anything about anything materialistic. As long as all the families, healthy grandkids, kids fathers mothers are all healthy. That’s all what we can ask for. And to continue the legacy is the dream.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up in Italy born in 1956 my dad grew up on a farm with nothing. No running water no electricity just a lot of land farm animals and an outhouse to take care of business. While growing up in Italy, my grandfather sent my dad to the seminary for my dad to become a priest. That didn’t last long. Getting his education in Italy, my dad got his degree and electronics. After that, he made the hard choice to leave his family behind and come to America. Coming to America was the greatest thing he could’ve done for himself and his family to come. With not being able to speak English, my dad worked in pizza shop papermills side jobs and everything in between. He later than bought one pizza shop then sold. It bought another sold that one and then bought Coppa 82 in Downingtown. From what I know, my dad was like any other kid in Italy at the time. Wanted to have a good time, but also thought about the future. After coming to America and opening Coppa 82, he figured he deserved some time off and took a vacation to Venezuela, that’s where he met my mother Dorotea (Dora).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.coppa82.com
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/coppa82
