Chester’s new outdoor Italian pizzeria

On the lot adjacent to the site where “Marlene’s Doll’s Hospital,” was located on East 22nd Street in Chester a new business has risen from the ashes of a global pandemic, that has many businesses on the brink of bankruptcy and caused others to shut their doors, some permanently.
Pollino’s is an outdoor Italian Pizzeria with a unique flair. It has an ambiance that puts you in mind of spending a cozy afternoon on your backyard patio or in your garden. With trees surrounding the venue, the feeling is laid back and relaxing. Pollino’s is at 528 East 22nd Street in Chester, Pa. Its official opening date was November 7, 2020, and the Italian eatery has increasingly become a destination for diners in the area.
The owners of this blossoming enterprise are Sam and Kyla Pollino, a cheerful couple with roots in South Philadelphia and Ocean City, New Jersey. Sam is no stranger to entrepreneurship, previously having owned and operated both a construction business and pizza parlors. He is experienced and knows what it takes to get a business up and running. Although, doing so amid a global pandemic was new. Kyla worked in construction, and both bring the discipline of former military service to this initiative. They were looking to purchase a home and settled on the East 22nd Street location. They had no idea that the adjacent lot to their home was part of their newly purchased property. They had fallen in love with the house, and at first, had no plans for the current business; but, opportunity knocked, and they took a leap of faith.
“My first thought was this would be a pretty good location for a hot dog cart,” said Sam. “I observed the amount of road and foot traffic and thought that was a great idea, but, upon finding out that the adjacent lot was also deeded to my property, another plan took shape,” stated Pollino.
Recognizing that location and demographics are important in business, Pollino’s is in a prime location. It is on a major thoroughfare with a continuous stream of automotive and more than sufficient foot traffic that provides a steady flow of customers. Word of mouth advertising is fantastic for any business, but a premium product always speaks volumes. The cuisine offered by Pollino’s is nothing short of a delightful symphony of American and Italian standards with the freshest ingredients. The Pollino’s have stated, “Business has been steadily increasing since we opened.” This is apparent by the number of people that stopped by to place lunch orders as I conducted this interview. Neighbors have been taking leisurely strolls over to café for lunches or mid-day snacks, supporting the growing business.
A few naysayers from the neighborhood had their opinions in the beginning, mainly because it had been some time since there had been a business of any sort in this location. Other than worries about the increased traffic, and the type of clientele the venue would attract, there weren’t any objections from the community. The opening of Pollino’s with its attractive inviting design has encouraged a few of the neighbors in surrounding properties to spruce their properties up a little. A definite plus for the neighborhood.
Watching Sam and Kyla create their vision of what they wanted the business to look like was enough to give any budding entrepreneur hope of what is possible when you step out on faith. I personally watched as things took shape from the building of the food stand, the laying down of the gravel, the placement of the roofing on top of the veranda (which both Sam and Kyla did as a team). They both agree that this is a family business.
There have been challenges. In the forefront was opening a business during a global pandemic when the world was virtually shut down, and a business in the foodservices sector nonetheless another dicey proposition during the shutdown with folks quarantined in their homes. For Pollino’s, the gamble appears to be paying off because people do have to eat. For Kyla the challenges have been the endless piles of paperwork that need to be completed and navigating social media to advertise the business. Both are hard workers, and each easily works in tandem with the other. Sam’s been working since he was 14 years old when his father put him to work with the rest of his siblings. It is this time-honored, traditional work ethic that he brings to their business, along with his previous restaurant and other life experiences. Kyla’s military and construction experiences are an invaluable asset to her. That was witnessed as she made quick and efficient work of the roofing task.
Moving forward, the Pollino’s would like to see the business grow and continue to be an asset to the community. “This is a beautiful place for people in the neighborhood to bring their families out for an afternoon or evening treat,” said the couple.
With all the buzz in the community about Pollino’s scrumptious pizza, which has a fantastic homemade sauce and a crisp crust that reminded me of my time in New York and the slices, I used to enjoy so much. If you are in the neighborhood, it is definitely a place you will want to pay a visit. They’re friendly and the food is excellent. Pollino’s is open from 10 am until 9 pm. Phone: 267-276-8047. Reach out to them on Facebook or just drop in.