With the closure of Giunta’s in 2006, Pietro’s Prime rose from its ashes in 2007 with no signs of not serving amazing steaks.
From “Family Owned & Operated.”
It used to be that every town had a local grocer, and here, from 1927 through the end of the century, the store was Giunta’s. Sadly, the new development and competition from national corporations forced Giunta’s to close in 2006, but from this setback emerged another West Chester institution: Pietro’s Prime.
Marisa Giunta was working in West Chester when she met Sean Powell at Jitters. The two started dating, and when Giunta’s added a cafe area to their store, they recruited chef Sean away from several high-end country clubs. Marisa later joined the store full-time in 2001 and married Sean a year later.
But in 2004, when leasing concerns presented for the building, they started to consider other options. “Sean was like, ‘We should do a restaurant,'” says Marisa… she was less convinced. But, the idea struck a chord, so Marisa worked to learn the restaurant business and when Murray’s went up for sale on Market Street in 2007, they made their move.
Although Sean and Marisa now live separate lives, they remain partners and friends — Sean runs the kitchen, Marisa handles the rest. Marisa’s parents are involved too: Nina makes the desserts and Frank hosts on Mondays.
You’ll often bump into Frank, Nina, or Marisa when you drop by (Sean will be sweating back in the kitchen,), and it’s this family feel that’s always made Pietro’s so appealing — it’s fine dining without the pretension.
