Picasso’s Pizza family’s Western New York roots were planted in 1915, when our grandpa Fioravante and his family arrived in Buffalo from their native Naples, Italy. It was not popular to be an immigrant at that time. He got a job as a laborer installing streetcar tracks, and endured many a taunt from co-workers.

As the jabs continued, grandpa decided he would never work for anyone but himself again. He and his wife Maria began making Italian cookies, pastries, and candies, along with pizza in their home, and sold it to local stores and on the streets. As their family grew to eight sons and three daughters, a larger house was purchased on Seneca Street, and a small storefront was added to sell grandpa‘s treats.