Jamie Antignano - 21 Who Made a Difference in 2021

Jamie Antignano - 21 Who Made a Difference in 2021

Angelo’s is a Federal Hill institution, but being a beloved restaurant does not ensure that you survive the pandemic.

The list of great, fun, and lovable Rhode Island businesses that are closing is chilling. From Kip's in Pawtucket to Siena on the Hill to Chez Pascal on Hope Street — all of them different and all of them gone. The list goes on and on.

Angelo’s is surviving for two reasons. A customer base that loves the establishment and the fierce CEO of Angelo’s Jamie Antignano who has guided the restaurant during the last two years of trying tiems. 

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She bought the restaurant from her father -- and then came the pandemic. 

“The first couple of years were definitely a challenge. And then COVID hit,” said Antignano, noting that she and her father were often working 100 hours a week — just the two of them — to keep the restaurant open. 

Last Christmas, her father officially transferred the business over to Antignano. 

“We signed the papers for the ownership. I wanted to buy it. I don’t take anything from my family. I approached him to get the company valued so I can appropriately pay for it,” said Antignano.

Now, like most businesses, Angelo’s is facing staffing issues — and heading into the holidays — supply chain issues. 

“It’s so wild right now. I just spoke with another restaurant owner, who said he can’t afford clams. We’ve always sold tripe, and now it's gone from $3 a pound to $9 a pound. We’re at a decision point. Even if we can get some things, are people going to be willing to spend the price?” said Antignano.

Antignano said that people have asked about the “new ownership,” after seeing the restaurant was sold as a matter of public record, but she lets people know it’s now hers — and plans to keep it that way.

“Do we have plans for our 100th anniversary? We’re looking at having ’1924’ nights with how it used to be — from how waitstaff called in orders, to 1924 prices,” she said. “But right now, I can’t even predict too much. Are we going to be able to have big gatherings?”

Antignano said that the upside of the pandemic, however, was that it helped the restaurant innovate. This year, Angelo's debuted its new "indoor-outdoor" windows -- which were planned pre-pandemic, but turned out to be of benefit for increased airflow in warmer months. 

As for Antignano, she said she is happy with her decision to “come back.”

“People want to see the state succeed, and I want to see the city succeed,” said Antignano. “And we need people to put the effort in. Because either you leave and never come back — or you never leave.”