From High Heels to Aprons: Lauren Maslov's Journey to Reviving Pietro’s of East Meadow

Pietro’s of East Meadow has long been known for its sesame seed crust pizza and iconic red and white canopy. Today, third-generation owner Lauren Maslov invites customers to “find us under the umbrella sky,” a fresh, modern twist on a timeless tradition. Despite the many updates, one thing remains unchanged: the famous sesame seed crust, a staple since day one.

Pietro’s was founded by Lauren’s grandfather, Peter Ippolito, in March 1976. From the beginning, it was a true family affair. Lauren’s great-grandmother worked in the kitchen, while other family members helped build the business. Peter’s signature sesame seed crust quickly became a standout feature. When Peter passed away in 1986, Lauren’s father, John Arigo, took the reins, balancing Pietro’s with his CPA practice, which he ran from the same building.

John Arigo took over Pietro's East Meadow after his father, running his own CPA business out of the same building.

Katie Ippolito, Lauren Maslov's great-grandmother, worked in Pietro's East Meadow.

Peter Ippolito, of Pietro's East Meadow, is known for his original sesame seed crust.

Pietro's East Meadow, known for its iconic red and white canopy, was founded by Peter Ippolito, Lauren Maslov's grandfather.

Over the years, Pietro’s earned its place in the heart of East Meadow, known for its warm family atmosphere and great food. But by 2021, the restaurant was facing challenges. That’s when Lauren, John’s eldest daughter, made the bold decision to buy the family business and carry on its legacy.

Reclaiming a Family Legacy

The decision to reclaim Pietro’s was deeply personal for Lauren. For her, it wasn’t just about preserving her family’s legacy—it was about holding onto a place that had been a cornerstone of her childhood. “Losing Pietro’s would have felt like losing a piece of myself,” Lauren reflects.

During a time when her father was battling lung cancer, the family quietly put the restaurant on the market, seeking relief from the stress of running it. At a Sunday family dinner—one of many spent at her parents' house—Lauren learned that Pietro’s had been sold. While her parents felt the sale would ease their burden, for Lauren, it felt like the end of an era.

“I recall everyone cheering and hugging my parents with joy,” Lauren shares. “But I walked away in tears, knowing that running Pietro’s had always been my dream—one I wasn’t ready to let go of.”

Lauren and her husband, Andy, made a pact: if the sale fell through, they would step in to buy the restaurant. Then, one evening, after a long day at work, she missed her father’s call. When she saw the missed call, she hurried to return it—it wasn’t common for him to reach out. When he picked up, her father, in his distinct Brooklyn-Long Island accent, asked, “Hey Lau, you still interested in the store?”

Lauren didn’t hesitate for a moment. Her father assumed she would juggle Pietro’s alongside her career, as he had done. But Lauren knew that the only way to truly preserve Pietro’s was to take the reins fully invested. She bought the restaurant and poured herself into revitalizing the business, leaving behind a successful career in property management in New York City, where she had managed high-rise buildings and rentals. The risk paid off—not just for the business, but for her family. With more time to spend with her husband and their four kids, she says, “I didn’t realize how much time I was missing with them until I made the switch.”

Lauren Maslov traded in a successful career in property management in New York City to take over Pietro's East Meadow, her family's business.

A year later, in 2022, her father passed away after a brave battle with lung cancer. Though he was no longer physically present, his influence and love for Pietro’s remained a guiding force for Lauren as she carried on the family tradition.

[READ MORE: ‘He truly loved it. He wanted to be here all the time.’]

A Modern Twist on Tradition

While maintaining the charm and flavors that made Pietro’s a staple in the community, Lauren has made subtle changes that reflect an evolution of the menu. Once focused on pizza, pasta, and classic entrees, the menu now includes elevated dishes like braised short ribs, branzino, and perfectly seared steaks. This evolution balances keeping tradition alive while adapting to the changing tastes of a new generation.

Since taking over, Lauren has led the business to a sixfold increase in revenue and team size. Pietro’s now employs over 50 employees, compared to just 8 when Lauren first started. What began as a risk transformed into a full revitalization of the restaurant. She oversaw every detail, upgrading table settings, glassware, and dishes while renovating the restaurant’s interior to create a fresher, more modern look. Throughout the space, she maintained key elements of her family’s history, preserving the special meaning of Pietro’s while ushering in a new era.

Lauren’s vision for the future includes much more than just cosmetic upgrades. She commissioned a striking 40-foot mural of Rocky and Creed by Andaluz The Artist. For Lauren, this mural, which symbolizes the passing of the torch between generations, mirrors her own journey. Rocky represents Pietro’s old-school Italian roots, while Creed symbolizes overcoming challenges—a nod to Lauren forging her path as a woman in a male-dominated industry.

[READ MORE: The E.M. mural is truly a 'pizza' work]

The restaurant’s famed umbrella patio, inspired by the Umbrella Sky Project, has also become a highlight. This Instagram-worthy outdoor dining space, adorned with red and white umbrellas, draws a new generation of diners. Lauren turned a nostalgic nod to her grandfather’s original canopy into a vibrant symbol of the restaurant’s rebirth. She also introduced private, temperature-controlled dining igloos, offering guests a cozy and unique dining experience year-round.

Pietro's East Meadow owner Lauren Maslov is taking her family's business to the next level with its iconic umbrella display and innovative patio …

A Testament to Resilience

For Lauren, Pietro’s is not just a business—it’s a testament to the resilience and determination that brought it back to life. Her father used to say the restaurant was “a has-been,” worn down by challenges like a lack of parking and growing competition. But where others saw obstacles, Lauren saw potential—a chance to revitalize the place that meant so much to her family and the community. As Lauren and her husband like to say, Pietro’s is “The Little Pizzeria That Could,” rising against the odds to reclaim its place in the heart of East Meadow.

"I can’t help but feel my father, grandfather, and great-grandmother had a hand in this from above," she reflects.

The holidays bring an extra special magic to Pietro’s. With carolers and elaborate décor, the restaurant transforms into a festive gathering place, creating memories for families throughout East Meadow and beyond. People are traveling from Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan to experience the magic. And as Lauren looks to the future, she hints that her journey is far from over.

As she reflects on the journey so far, Lauren knows that the sky’s the limit for Pietro’s. “If you keep feeding this monster, there’s no telling how far it can grow.”