Local businesses cook up plans for Taste of Struthers

Restaurants showcase wares to give public a ...

By Sarah Lehr

slehr@vindy.com

STRUTHERS

Every year, a few intrepid attendees at the Taste of Struthers pledge to eat at every booth.

Inevitably, they become too full and cannot complete the challenge, said Catherine Cercone-Miller, president of the Struthers Rotary Community Corps.

The Struthers Rotary Community Corps will host the fourth annual Taste of Struthers from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at St. Nicholas Great Hall, 520 9th St.

The sold-out event features booths from 14 vendors, music, a raffle and a cash bar. Proceeds benefit the Struthers Rotary Community Corps. A ticket entitles the buyer to sample once from each vendor.

“Come hungry,” Cercone-Miller said. “Everyone always leaves full.”

The event gives local businesses a chance to showcase their wares, she said.

“I hope to bring more customers to the restaurants,” Cercone-Miller said. “They have put so much into our community, so much time and effort.”

Giannios Candy, 430 Youngstown-Poland Road, once again will have a booth at Taste of Struthers.

The Struthers establishment will offer its most popular varieties of individually wrapped candies.

John Giannios, owner, said the company’s formula for making quality chocolate has changed little since his grandfather, Gust Giannios, entered the candy business in 1910.

“A lot of our customers come back from out of town,” Giannios said. “They want the chocolate they remember from when they were growing up.”

The business, which employs close to 50 people at its city plant, has been in Struthers for more than four decades.

“They associate this place with Struthers,” said Chris Kapsal, plant manager at Giannios Candy. “This is a working-man’s town, so they understand. It’s blue collar.”

Another Struthers eatery, Brier Hill Pizza and Wings, will serve its signature Brier Hill pizza, made with green peppers, romano cheese and garlic oil, at the event.

The restaurant also will give out buffalo chicken rolls and pepperoni rolls.

Brier Hill, at 587 Fifth St., offers carryout and delivery service to Struthers, Poland, Campbell, Lowellville and Youngstown’s upper South Side.

“We sell to a lot of elderly people who can’t get out of the house,” said Brier Hill co-owner Ruth Mozzy. “We’ll pick up their mail for them. We’re like a restaurant on wheels.”