An Italian specialty shop with a diverse menu and a unique culinary love letter to classic Italian and European ingredients, Cangiano’s Marketplace celebrates its fifth anniversary in Jersey City.
“We just have to say thank you! It’s just a great atmosphere here, and we are glad to be in such a diverse neighborhood,” said Cosmo Cangiano, one of three partners of the deli franchise. “People understand what we are doing, expect it and appreciate it.”
Amidst the pandemic, the founders Cosmo Cangiano, Vincent Vallely, and Norman Bonoan decided to open up on April 14, 2020, and bring out a line of crisp quality sandwiches that has the neighborhood only wanting more.
At the time of COVID-19, they only allowed 10 customers to walk in the store due to in-person restrictions. Starting off with five workers, they expanded and now have 10-15 staff workers, who bring out the warm spirit of Cangiano’s and its generational legacy of Italians from Naples.
“It helped us in a way that we got to know the neighborhood better,” said Norman Bonoan, one of the partners at the shop, who told Jersey Digs that the pandemic brought a set of challenges as they were one of the few deli shops opened in the Hamilton neighborhood, while others closed due to COVID-19 in person restrictions.
But look closer, and you’ll see a lovingly curated collection that pays homage to classic Italian ingredients while adding a few sweet surprise treats along the way. Jersey Digs tried the homemade Tiramisu, Banana Pudding, and chocolate mousse, all on the dessert menu.
What you can expect to find as you walk in the store: the sound of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole can be heard playing in the background, with a selection of over thirty crafted combinations ranging from $12 to $15; with options such as Sweet Capocollo, Smoked Mozzarella, Fresh Ricotta, Shredded Ricotta Salata, and Eggplant Caponata & Arugula among other items such as cherry and orange soda.
Additional plates you can find in the shop include combos of pastas, eggs, bagels, and additional Italian delicacies such as Sicilian Rice, Cheese balls, and Zucchini Flowers.
Customers have the option to order online through ChowNow, a food delivery platform.
Cangiano’s grandparents, Pasquale and Anna Cangiano, opened the first Cangiano’s back in Brooklyn in 1919. Another shop in Staten Island was opened during the 1970s by one of his uncles, eventually, they made their way to 225 Pavonia Ave, the shop in Jersey City.
“A lot pride, a lot of strength and a lot of power in the name,” said Cosmo Cangiano Jr. in an interview with Jersey Digs, adding that his family’s business has taken on over 100 years since they first opened up in 1919. “Having five years, I am just thankful for my family and those who have supported us along the way.”
Coming from a family line of five brothers and two sisters, all aunts and uncles of Cangiano’s, walking in the store, photos of the Cangiano’s can be seen hanging on the walls of the store.
“When we first came to look at the area, before we signed anything from what we saw in the neighborhood, we knew this place had great potential,” said Vincent Vallely, one of the business partners. “We know a lot of our customers on a first-name basis, and that’s the beauty of this neighborhood; folks are close out here!”
Since their opening in April 2020, the Cangiano’s team continues to feed the Hamilton Park neighborhood with delicious prepared food,” said Paul Silverman, co-founder of SILVERMAN. “Some of our residents shop daily, everyone loves Cangiano’s!”
Customers who found out about the fifth anniversary were glad to try some of the items on the daily sandwich: today is the sandwich option one Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap, sandwich option two Pulled Pork, Ham, Pickles, Pickled onions, Swiss and mustard and sandwich option three Pulled Pork with Provolone, Broccoli, Rabe and Spicy Fig Jam.
“All the food there caught my eye!” William Bosso, a first customer, tried the sandwich option two on the daily menu today. “I will definitely be coming back here, everything just worked well, and the prosciutto just melted in my mouth.”
Another deli shop is expected to open up in Journal Square sometime in the first week of May.
