Ciao, Capri Gift Shop

“Per nuovi inizi” means “to new beginnings” in Italian and that is exactly what Antonietta Capozzolo-Pizzirusso plans to do after fully retiring as owner and manager of Capri Gift Shop in Seaford.

“I’ve always loved this,” she said. “But now it’s time for me.”

The 52-year-old Pizzirusso has been in the family business since she was just 14 years old. While helping her parents run the Capri Bakery on Merrick Road in Seaford, Pizzirusso was inspired to open up a small business of her own. So what better then right next door? With a door connecting the two shops, Pizzirusso was able to open up Capri Gift Shop, an extension of the bakery, specializing in authentic Italian gift baskets, trinkets, pasta and espresso.

“I expanded into this business when I was just 20 years old and ever since then I’ve done communions, christenings and even bridal showers,” the Wantagh resident said. “I do importing and exporting and travel to Italy every year. I purchase the merchandise, bring it back and try to find as much unique stuff as possible.”

After graduating from St. John’s University with a bachelor’s degree in business, Pizzirusso said she always had a passion for opening a place of her own.

“I’m fluent in Italian and I wanted to do something where I could import stuff for my parents,” she added. “I bring back oil from my mom’s hometown in Italy and the pasta from Naples. From there, it expanded and just got bigger and bigger.”

Although it was exciting opening a new business, Pizzirusso said she felt the pressures of liability on her shoulders. Running it on her own would not be easy.

“I’ve worked every single Saturday since I was 14,” Pizzirusso said. “It was sometimes hard to import certain things and I had no idea what a dumping fee was for the pasta or even specific health codes. It was definitely a learning process.”

After 32 years of running Capri Gift Shop, Pizzirusso said it is finally time to call it a career. The shop will officially close down at the end of February. Until then, everything in the store will be 50 percent off.