Today we’d like to introduce you to Alivia Tagliaferri.
Hi Alivia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The story of Tag’s began long before I ever owned the business.
After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, my grandfather, Aldo Tagliaferri, returned home and married my grandmother, Ilivia “Leah” Tagliaferri. In 1959, they opened Tag’s Bar & Grille on Memorial Avenue in Williamsport. What started as a neighborhood tavern serving sandwiches quickly became one of the city’s most beloved Italian restaurants after my grandmother began making her homemade sauce, meatballs, and spaghetti. Their recipes, hospitality, and genuine love for people turned Tag’s into a place where generations of families gathered around the table.
After my grandmother’s passing in 1999, my father, Anthony Tagliaferri, and my mother, Theresa, continued the family business until my father’s unexpected passing in 2005. Although the restaurant eventually closed, the memories—and the recipes—never left the community.
Inspired to share my family’s recipes, traditions, and hospitality with the community once again, I founded Tag’s Foods, LLC in 2016 and launched Tag’s Take Out as a monthly pop-up in 2017, bringing back the traditional recipes and customer favorites so many people had missed. The response was overwhelming. What began as a once-a-month pop-up quickly grew, leading me to purchase our Market Street property in 2020 and open Tag’s Take Out & Italian Specialty Store in 2021.
Like many small businesses, we’ve continued to evolve over the years. Today, Tag’s focuses on specialty Italian foods, pop-up take-out events, catering, and community partnerships. While our business model has changed, the heart of Tag’s has not. Every recipe is rooted in our family’s traditions, and every customer is welcomed with the same warmth and hospitality that my grandparents established more than 65 years ago.
As Tag’s continues to evolve, my goal remains the same: to honor our family’s legacy by serving great food, welcoming every customer like family, and creating new memories for generations to come.
Tag’s — The Taste You Remember.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but I think that’s true for most small business owners.
One of the greatest challenges has been balancing tradition with change. Tag’s has a long history in our community, and with that comes a responsibility to honor the recipes, values, and customer experience that generations of people remember and cherish. At the same time, the food industry continues to evolve. The cost of food, supplies, utilities, insurance, and nearly every aspect of operating a business has increased significantly, while profit margins have become increasingly tight. That reality requires thoughtful planning, creativity, and a willingness to adapt.
We’ve made difficult decisions over the years, including evolving from a traditional daily take-out restaurant to a business focused on specialty foods, pop-up events, and catering. Those decisions weren’t easy, but they were necessary to position Tag’s for long-term sustainability while staying true to who we are.
On a personal level, continuing a family legacy carries its own challenges. There is a deep sense of responsibility that comes with representing multiple generations of hard work and dedication. At the same time, it’s also been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Every challenge has reinforced why preserving our family’s traditions and continuing to serve our community is so important.
I’ve learned that success isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about being willing to evolve while never losing sight of your purpose. That mindset has helped guide every decision I’ve made for Tag’s, and it’s what continues to shape our future.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At my core, I’m a storyteller.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work across communications, marketing, filmmaking, publishing, event production, and entrepreneurship. While those may seem like very different fields, they’ve always shared the same purpose: helping people connect through meaningful stories and experiences.
Today, that creative work takes many forms. Through my other company, Ironcutter Creative, I continue to develop projects that span writing, filmmaking, publishing, and strategic communications. I’m also the creator of STOA, an original children’s musical, and the author of the Oren children’s book series, where I’m combining storytelling, character development, and creativity to encourage kindness, resilience, and imagination in young readers.
Tag’s is another extension of that same passion. While food may seem very different from writing or filmmaking, I see it as another way of telling a story. Every family recipe, every catered event, and every pop-up is an opportunity to preserve traditions, bring people together, and create lasting memories. In many ways, I’m not simply preserving a family business—I’m preserving a piece of our community’s history.
What I’m most proud of is building a career that allows me to blend creativity with purpose.
I think what sets me apart is that I don’t see creativity as limited to one medium. Whether the canvas is a book, a stage, a film, a community event, or even a plate of food, I approach every project with the same belief—that the best stories bring people together.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I think the food industry will continue to evolve as consumer expectations evolve. People are looking for more than convenience—they’re looking for quality, authenticity, and experiences that feel personal. They want to know the story behind the food they’re buying, support local businesses, and connect with brands that reflect their values.
At the same time, rising costs, changing consumer habits, and advances in technology will continue to challenge food businesses to think differently about how they operate. I think we’ll see more businesses embrace flexible models, creative partnerships, specialty products, and community-focused experiences rather than relying solely on traditional brick-and-mortar operations.
For Tag’s, that reinforces the path we’re already on. We’ve evolved beyond a traditional restaurant model to focus on specialty foods, pop-up events, catering, and community partnerships. That flexibility allows us to preserve our family’s recipes and traditions while continuing to meet people where they are.
No matter how the industry changes over the next decade, I believe one thing will remain constant: people will always gather around great food. The businesses that continue to thrive will be the ones that combine quality, authenticity, and genuine hospitality with a willingness to evolve. That’s exactly what I hope Tag’s will continue to do for generations to come.
Pricing:
- Tag’s Original Sauce (Quart), $14
- Tag’s Meatballs (Pack of 6), $14
- Tag’s Gnocchi (1.25 Lb Bag), $17
- Tag’s Chicken Parmesan & Spaghetti Dinner (Large), $20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tagstakeout.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TagsTakeOut/
