MOHEGANS, PARTNERS PLAN TO OPEN SECOND PASTA VITA LOCATION

Mohegan — Pasta Vita at Mohegan Sun, a franchise operation co-owned by the Mohegan Holding Co. and the founders of the original Pasta Vita, a gourmet-to-go food store in Old Saybrook, plan to open a second franchise location next year in Wethersfield.

Kathy Regan-Pyne, a Mohegan tribal councilor, and the Pasta Vita founders, Rich Cersosimo and Lou Castanho, announced the expansion Friday while celebrating Pasta Vita at Mohegan Sun's second anniversary.

“We are thrilled to be able to work alongside Rich and Lou and expand this great brand outside of southeastern Connecticut, creating more jobs and expanding our offerings,” Regan-Pyne said.

Cersosimo, a retired IBM marketing manager, and Castanho, a chef, founded Pasta Vita as a wholesale pasta company in 1996. Pasta Vita at Mohegan Sun features more than 100 freshly prepared entrees, salads, soups, sauces, breads, vegetarian options, desserts and Pasta Vita's specialty: striped ravioli.

Seeking to diversify, the Mohegan Tribe established the Mohegan Holding Co. to oversee the tribe's nongaming business ventures, which include franchise restaurants, sustainable energy resources and manufacturing, and office digital solutions.

The partners plan to open the Wethersfield Pasta Vita early next year and expect to open in other locations in the future.