Flowers, Food, Family

– By Janice Llanes Fabry –

The seeds of Rockridge Flowers and Deli were firmly planted 33 years ago this month by Italian immigrants Rocco and Gemma Lagana. Eager to flourish in this country like their fellow paisans, they decided to open up a plant and produce market of their own. They borrowed some money and put a down payment on a small parcel of land in Rye at 280 Purchase St. With a hefty mortgage, broken English and a lot of gumption, the Laganas converted the three-car garage on the property into the Rockridge Farmers' Market.

Before getting too far ahead of their story, however, they first immigrated to the United States when Gemma was 16 and Rocco was 22. Having lived in different parts of Italy, she in Colledimezzo and he in Reggio Calabria, their paths only crossed when they came to this country. They met at an evening class in White Plains, where they were both learning English. “It was love at first sight,” admitted Gemma. “He was the only guy I knew.”

They have been married for 37 years. For their farmers' market venture, they formed a partnership with Gemma's sister, Lina, and her husband, which lasted until Lina died 16 years ago.

“We all worked very hard at the beginning because we had to build from nothing,” explained Gemma. “Rocco would go to the market during the night to buy produce and the greenhouses to buy outdoor plants. He would sleep in the truck.”

“We worked day and night,” added Rocco, “Everything we made, we put back into the business.” A cabinetmaker by trade, Rocco used to help out in his mother's deli in southern Italy. Knowing a bit about the food business, he expanded the shop, brought in the deli, more fresh flowers and changed the name early on. Eventually, the Laganas built a house overlooking their market and have lived there ever since.

Today, Rockridge Flowers and Deli is a spacious store with a well-stocked garden center. Throughout the spring, they carry container plants and shrubs, annuals and perennials, hanging baskets, grass seed and fertilizer. There are always beautiful indoor and outdoor plants, from orchids to hydrangeas, as well as plenty of concrete pots and ornamental figures. Rockridge's holiday selections include mums and pumpkins in the fall and Christmas trees and wreaths in the winter. Of course, fresh cut flowers and arrangements are available yearround for every occasion. In addition, their landscapers make house calls.

Gemma assured, “Bigger businesses may carry plants, but they don't give the service we do. The time we spend with each customer is very important. People come back because of the way we take care of them.”

Rockridge Flowers and Deli has been open seven days a week for the last three decades. Only last year did it start closing on Sundays during the winter. “We have been doing business with the same people all these years,” said Gemma. “Rye is a big family. Everybody knows each other and we take care of everybody. It's nice that people meet here, read the paper and have a cup of coffee.”

The mom and pop business includes their children, Lorenzo and Brigit, who attended Rye City Schools. Lorenzo, now the manager at Rockridge, lives with his wife and two children in Rye Brook near Brigit and her husband. Expecting her first child in September, Brigit works in the store and the office. Their Uncle Aldo oversees the deli and their Aunt Maria does the floral arrangements.

Although the siblings and their parents admit there's a little family friction at times, they wouldn't have it any other way. “When we all go home, we forget and start fresh the next day,” said the matriarch. “It might be hard sometimes dealing with my old-fashioned ideas, but it all works out.” When they're not working, Gemma and Rocco enjoy having their kids over to the house, especially for the holidays.

Rocco is semi-retired, but he still goes in every day. “I'm a little tired, but I'm proud of what we've been doing here since we came to this country 39 years ago,” he said. “The first customer we ever had still comes around.”

Rockridge is open Monday - Saturday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.