The Barstool Fund - Primavera
Up next: Primavera (Millis, MA)
Primavera, family owned and operated for 30 years, is a popular restaurant that offers hand-crafted pasta, rustic breads, delicious desserts, and “The Best Brunch Around.” The grounds are also the perfect setting for your wedding reception.
Reader Email
The owner, Jerry Gaita, is my brother. Two generations of family, started Primavera in 1989. Our mom (Maria, who was the heart and soul of Primavera) died in May 2019 of cancer, then the catering equipment was destroyed in a fire in June 2019. Insurance didn't cover the loss but friends in the industry helped us with rentals and Primavera was managing to get by. Planned events for March/April 2020 would help get us through but then the Covid mandated closures hit us in March 2020 and all events were cancelled. Deposits returned. Jerry quickly pivoted to focus on takeout while also innovating to provide food to front line essential workers by using much of the food from cancelled events that we had on hand. This was done in memory of our mother, Maria, and we named it the Mamma Maria Care Package Program. He continued to make meals as people gave donations. It was tremendously inspiring and uplifting to be able to help people, keep some people employed and serve the community. He quickly realized many of the meals were actually going to the elderly and families hit hard by the pandemic. Food pantries were closed. He kept making meals even when donations stopped. The restrictions on dine in killed his business. Bills have piled up - unpaid. I'm afraid he'll lose what he and my parents spent 30 years building. He keeps telling everyone to keep cooking, stay positive, that better days are coming as (it is what my mum taught us) but I can see the fear and struggle. Jerry is also a Catholic Memorial alumnus, with strong faith and an abiding desire to be in service to those less fortunate. But these have been dark days and the bills are piling up. My 83 year old father continues to go in every day. Early on, during the initial weeks, he made masks, cleaned, sanitized, then did his regular routine of making homemade pasta, scratch made bread and sauces. Jerry has been posting lots of cooking videos recently. It's a way to boost his spirits, keep cooking and through the videos thank those who have shown up to support him. Vendors and contractors who have told him 'not to worry, pay me when you can.' We don't know how they'll make it through without help. The fear is real. Thank you for considering Primavera and thank you for what you're doing to help small business owners who've been impacted by this pandemic. We all owe you a deep amount of gratitude.
