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Founded in Cape Coral, Florida, by Lisa and Joe Giambalvo in 2001, Stuff-A-Bagel is a New York-style bagel shop that aims to bring the New York experience to the Sunshine State. Today, Stuff-A-Bagel is led and operated by the “Giambalvo kids” following in their parent’s footsteps.
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getting here
Celebrating roughly 22 years in business, the Giambalvo’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for building community continues to be the driving force behind Stuff-A-Bagel. They specialize in a made-from-scratch menu, which includes bagel sandwiches, flavored cream cheese spreads, salads, wraps, omelets and more.
At 27 and 28 years old, Lisa and Joe Giambalvo packed up and moved their young family to Florida. The couple owned a number of bars in the Long Island, New York, bar and restaurant industry, but as parents of four children they wanted something different for their kids. Lisa and Joe wanted to start a lifestyle that allowed them to spend more time together, as a family.
The couple had a dream of opening a bagel store that brought a taste of the New York experience to their new home. But they had no experience in the industry. Their youngest daughter: Marissa Giambalvo, recalled that her dad learned how to make a bagel in a 30-day period.
Today, the product speaks for itself. Stuff-A-Bagel was awarded the News-Press reader’s choice award for “Best of Cape Coral” in the bagel category for 20 years in a row.
“We spent a dollar amount for a bunch of recipes, and now here we are,” Marissa said.
For Stuff-A-Bagel, success is about maintaining the happiness and satisfaction of their clients as they continue to build and serve their relationships.
“Our family looks forward to serving yours with the same pride and friendship that we have shared of the last 20 years, not only in southwest Florida, but now in our new home in Orlando as well.”
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The Second Generation
Their son Joey Giambalvo is the co-owner and manager at Stuff-A-Bagel on Skyline Boulevard and Sabrina has co-owned and managed the shop in the Winn Dixie Plaza in south Cape Coral for seven years. Joey, Sabrina and now Marissa, assumed ownership of the Stuff-A-Bagel business to continue and further grow the legacy established by their parents.
The Giambalvo kids grew up in the restaurant, waking up and heading into the shop around 2 a.m. to make the fresh bagels. Marissa doesn’t remember a weekend she didn’t spend behind her dad’s counter growing up.
“My whole life I worked for my family,” Marissa said. “I was 12, and I was in charge of people who were older than me.”
Marissa’s role as owner and operator for Stuff-A-Bagel Orlando wasn’t an obvious career path for her, regardless of the family business.
“I never thought I’d make it that far. And here I am.”
Marissa Giambalvo
“My whole life, even in high school . . . I did TV production,” Marissa said. “I loved it. I loved having a camera in my hand. I love being behind the camera. I love talking to people.”
After high school, Marissa continued her education and received her associate’s degree in Sports Broadcasting from the Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting at Full Sail University. Although Marissa excelled in her academic studies, earning the title of valedictorian, her first post-grad position in the industry led her back to Stuff-A-Bagel.
“I was taken away from my family’s industry completely, and that’s not what I wanted at all,” Marissa said. “My family, when it comes down to it, is my career. My passion is my family, and this business. And what my dad and mom created is the passion.”
But, ultimately, she feels blessed carry on her parent’s American Dream, because it is something she is authentically passionate about. Marissa’s role at Stuff-A-Bagel Orlando has been pivotal to reinforce the company values and growing the family legacy within the company and beyond.
Established in Cape Coral, Stuff-A-Bagel Orlando is the first location to open outside Lee County.
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making orlando home
Though the Giambalvo’s hope to extend their valued community beyond southwest Florida, they are excited to make another dream come true.
“My whole family, Disney is our dream,” Marissa says. “It was the only place we came when we were kids, because my parents always owned Stuff-A-Bagel since I was a baby. So, if we wanted to go on vacation we went to Disney World; because if something went wrong at the bagel store we could just get in the car, drive for three hours and we’d be home.”
Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World sits just one mile from the Stuff-A-Bagel Orlando storefront.
“We finally found an opportunity for our family to come to Disney World, and we don’t have to go home.”
Marissa has already witnessed overwhelming support from City Beautiful community. There was an line out of the door for a consistent eight hours for the location’s soft opening the first week of April.
“I never thought I’d make it that far. And here I am.”
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future plans
Thinking toward the future, Marissa wants to build her own legacy in Orlando on the foundation and support of her parents who achieved their Dream.
“I want to leave something for everyone,” she said.” So, my dream is to just leave such an impact in this company, and for my family that they could all use it too. I want it for them first, then I’ll take some.”
Stuff-A-Bagel Orlando is open daily Monday through Saturday 5 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Sunday 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit the Stuff-A-Bagel Orlando location at 13211 Reams Rd. in Windemere, or Winn Dixie Plaza location at 4825 Milton St. and the Skyline Boulevard location at 814 SW Pine Island Road in Cape Coral. For more information, visit their website stuffabagelfl.com.