Published: Saturday, 10th May, 2008 18:00
Chippy pair's break after 50 years
By Claire Amber Young
Print Article
TAKING A BREAK: Ronnie and Luciana Maestri.
Pic by: George Munro
A HARD-WORKING Greenock couple who have devoted over half a century to feeding hungry Inverclyders are gearing up for semi-retirement.
Chip virtuosos Ronnie and Luciana Maestri, from Bawhirley Road, have been serving up suppers at Ronnie’s Fish and Chicken Bar in Barnhill Street for 52 years.
The Maestris, originally from La Spetzia, in Italy, are now in their 70s and feel the time is right to take a break.
But the master fryers are determined not to miss out on the banter from their worldwide army of fans.
Ronnie said: “People from Australia, Canada and America come over here to eat our fish and chips.
“They may go away and taste food from other chippies but they always come back.
“Some of them are away for years and when they come back they say ‘Are you two still here?’
“Our customers are so loyal to us and we are loyal to them.” Ronnie, 76, and Luciana, 74, considered selling off the east-end business but have decided to keep it in the family.
The couple inherited the Maestri chip dynasty from Ronnie’s father, David, who left to start up a cafe in 1956.
The fish-and-chip mantle was passed down to the couple when they were newlyweds — and they’ve never looked back.
The lovebirds tied the knot in Garvel Street with £5 in their pockets and started in Ronnie’s a week later.
Their daughters, Anna Maria and Louisa, and granddaughter, Roisin, will now be helping out, along with some part-time staff.
Luciana said: “I really love the work but we can’t do everything now.
“We like to get back home at night and watch the TV to relax.
“We won’t be leaving, but we will be getting more help from all the family.
“You get to know everybody. We’ve met all the generations of so many Greenock families. The wee boys who used to play outside the shop 30 years ago come in with their kids now.
“It’s lovely to think we’ve been with these families for so many years.”
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Further Details
Two hurt in road crash