OPEN FOR BUSINESS
D’angelo reopens in Leominster after makeover
LEOMINSTER » D’angelo Grilled Sandwiches officially reopened last week and celebrated the long- awaited and much- anticipated milestone by donating 100% of its proceeds from opening day on June 7 to Ginny’s Helping Hand and Food Pantry.
“People want to support the organizations in the community,” said Ginny’s Executive Director Brandon Robbins of the large turnout on hand for D’angelo’s local charitable efforts. “We really appreciate that.”
When all was said and done a $5,082.33 check was presented to Robbins and other members of the Ginny’s team at a ribboncutting ceremony held Friday at the eatery, which is located at 231 Mill St., in the area near the Mall at Whitney Field. D’angelo Regional Vice President Jim Croteau said many of the customers who came by on opening day “said they were here for Ginny’s” and that the amount raised was “record-breaking.”
“We are very excited to be back in Leominster,” he said. “The reception has been tremendous. We are looking forward to seeing everyone come in.”
“Leominster seems to love us,” said D’angelo Area Manager Meg Harrison. “We are really happy to be here.”
She said several community members have called the store to say how happy they are that they are open again after being closed for several months while remodeling.
“Someone called five minutes before closing last week,” Harrison said, adding that she told the customer they were closing soon but that they would be happy to take their order if they could get there in a timely fashion. “They said, ‘ Nope, just wanted to say welcome back.’”
Leominster Center for Excellence student Aaron Byington, an intern at Ginny’s; Ginny’s Assistant Manager Mayra Diaz; and Ginny’s food pantry staff member Julia Zephir, the daughter of former longtime Ginny’s Executive Director Sue Chalifoux-zephir, joined Rob
bins at the check presentation and ribbon- cutting along with Mayor Dean Mazzarella and others.
“They did a wonderful job,” Mazzarella said of the restaurant renovations, “and hiring all these local people.”
Harrison said D’angelo is a great company to work for.
“They give back and they take care of the team,” she said. “The team we’ve hired is phenomenal.”
Two members of the Leominster Police Department came by the sandwich shop during the ribbon-cutting to pick up their lunch order. D’angelo Leominster General Manager Cathy Chiasson, who has been with the company for 18 years, was given the honor of cutting the blue ribbon.
“I’m glad to be here and I feel honored to be given the opportunity to do it,” she said.
Robbins posted on the Ginny’s Facebook page following the check presentation, praising D’angelo for giving back to organizations near its locations, something the company often does. Croteau said they plan to do more.
“#Teamginnys would like to give a HUGE thank you to D’angelo Grilled Sandwiches Leominster and the community at large for supporting our organization on their first day of opening! Today, D’angelo presented Ginny’s Staff with a check for $5,082.33, their entire first day of sales!” the post read.
“This generous donation comes at a time when residents of North Central Massachusetts are facing unprecedented hardship!
On the heels of a global pandemic, in tandem with record inflation levels, and ‘prices at the pump’ reaching nearly $5, every dollar will support us in our mission to provide a ‘Hand
Up’ to our neighbors in need, helping clients access food, temporary emergency housing, fuel assistance, clothing, and other necessities. We are immensely grateful to D’angelo and the Leominster community for this considerate donation. Community partners like D’angelo are exactly how Ginny’s is able to provide a ‘Hand Up’ in North Central MA!”