Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie & Maria Bono and Eric & Edwin Bresciani.
In the mid1960’s, Cousins Francesco Bono and Angelo Bresciani traveled to the United States from Argentina. They were planning to learn English, start a business and live the American dream. They started working at various bakeries in Boston’s North end, and in 1970, decided to open one themselves in Arlington, MA. Unlike most bakeries, the one they purchased came with a deep fryer; it was this lucky find that allowed them to try their hand at making cannoli shells. They opened their second location soon after, in Somerville, MA. Their cannoli shells and filling grew quickly in popularity, and soon restaurants and other bakeries were asking them to make shells for their own businesses. As demand for their shells grew, the cousins realized they were on to something, and purchased a vacant building in Somerville, MA for manufacturing exclusively cannoli. They decided to call this company, Golden Cannoli Shells Co.
The company is currently run by the two cousins’ children, brothers Edwin and Eric run production and operations at their 30,000 square foot facility in Chelsea, MA and sisters Maria and Valerie run the finance and sales departments. The business has grown tremendously, even in the past few years, almost doubling in both size and personnel since 2011. They currently have over 85 employees. While growing, they’ve managed to maintain that same commitment to quality, authenticity and family that their fathers had over 45 years ago.
In 2015, they launched their first grocery line of product The Original Cannoli Chip; an easy way to enjoy cannoli on the go. It’s been an exciting addition to their bakery products, the cannoli shells, larger bakery chips and ricotta fillings. The cannoli chips can be found on store shelves all over New England, on amazon, and at a national level in most Walmart locations. They originally launched three flavors, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, and cookies and cream. This summer, they added a 4th flavor, lemon!
Has it been a smooth road?
All business have their own set of challenges, and family businesses are no exception. They either grow too quickly or not quickly enough, and on top of all of the trials and tribulations that come with running a factory, there are interpersonal dynamics that can complicate things too. As hard as it can be though, we are really lucky that this is a family business. We like to say that our products are “made with love, and a few arguments”. Being a family puts us at a huge advantage because ultimately, we all know where the other is coming from. We all have that same connection, that common thread to the legacy our dad’s built for us and it serves as a guide when making hard decisions. Their work ethic, their standards, all of it, is a part of us. We grew up here in the factory, we’ve watched it grow and change, and we’ve grown and changed with it. It’s what keeps us going during challenging times, and I think that anyone who has poured their heart into their small business can definitely understand that feeling.
One of the big challenges Golden Cannoli is navigating right now is probably one most small businesses are still figuring out, the world of social media. Our Dad’s never had to worry about Instagram and Facebook, but we recognize how important marketing on these sites can be, so we’re diving in head first. In the next few weeks you can expect to see our newly revamped website, and maybe catch us on Facebook or Instagram where you can be inspired by a unique cannoli filling or dip idea! We’re working on getting the Golden Cannoli name out there too, all while promoting Cannoli Awareness (make cannoli the new donut anyone?) While doing this, we’re have to continue to make sure that our presence and brand maintains the same family values and ideals it had when our dads started the company in 1970.
Ultimately, all I can say is that we’re constantly learning. As much as I wish there was some great big “Cannoli Bible” that walked us through our day to day and what to expect, there isn’t. We try things, make mistakes, and learn from them like anyone else. I think it’s just important that we acknowledge we don’t have all the answers, and stay open to suggestions and experiences that can help us grow.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Golden Cannoli Shells Co. – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We make authentic cannoli shells, cannoli chips and cannoli filling. Cannoli chips are traditional cannoli dough, kept flat, and cut into bite size triangles. Those guys are fried up, and dusted with a signature sugar mixture (right now we have four flavors, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, cookies and cream, and lemon). Cannoli Chips can be found in the bakery section of most grocery stores and in resalable pillow pouches in the cookie aisle too! We also make a few different sizes of cannoli shells, and chocolate covered cannoli shells too. Our cannoli cream is a special, super smooth ricotta, and it comes in traditional (with a hint of vanilla) and chocolate chip. We have some amazing seasonal flavors as well, like pumpkin spice, chocolate, and mint chocolate chip. We also work with other companies to provide cannoli inclusions into their own products, like toppings for gelato, or cannoli crumbs to use as a base for other desserts. Everything is made here in our Chelsea, MA factory, and is kosher and nut free.
What sets us apart is the quality of our products. We make some of the best cannoli shells in the industry, and that’s because even though business has changed, the cannoli shells have not. Our recipe is the same one our dad’s used 45 years ago. The dough is made the same way, and each cannoli is still hand rolled here in our factory. It’s our commitment to quality, our commitment to innovation (with items like the cannoli chip) and our ability to say yes, to vendors of all sizes, are what keeps people coming back for more. Anyone can order our cannoli; large scale retailers, big box stores, mom and pop shops, even someone hosting a party or event can order shells, chips and filling from our website. We’re committed to bringing people the best possible product with the best customer service that we can. It’s this commitment to quality, along with our commitment to excellence in the industry itself that keep us going.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
There are so many things to love about being in the Boston area. For us in particular, it’s the history of the city in relation to our own family that makes it so special. Being able to walk down the street in the north end and not only revel in the history of the city, but in the history of our family that lived there is a really amazing feeling. Being a business for over 45 years means that the connections we’ve made with some of our local clients go way back, We [the owners] still hand deliver some of our more local cannoli orders (keep an eye out for our van at some of your favorite North End restaurants early in the morning) and those relationships grow and become more meaningful every year.
We love the scale of the city too, unlike huge cities like NYC or LA, Boston is a more manageable size, and you really get to know your neighbors. I bet a lot of people don’t know about all the fantastic food being produced in factories here in the city, but there’s a lot of work being done. Our old factory is down the street from Taza chocolate, and here in Chelsea we share the street with a few other big companies in the food industry. It brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “eat local” when you can go to a store and buy good food you know is made in your own backyard.
Pricing:
- Original Cannoli Chips – Pwd Sugar, Cinn. Sugar, Cookies & Cream, and Lemon come in 5.1oz resealable bags, and typically retail for $3.89
Contact Info:
- Address: 99 Crescent Ave, Chelsea MA
- Website: https://shop.goldencannoli.com/
- Phone: 6178682826
- Email: info@goldencannoli.com
- Instagram: @goldencannoli @originalcannolichips
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldenCannoli
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/originalcannolichips/
Image Credit:
Golden Cannoli Shells Co.
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