Giannettino, 42, of Yonkers, is the third owner of Curto's Appliances. The store was initially founded in 1948 by his grandfather Mario Curto in Getty Square. After many years there, Curto's moved up to its penultimate location on Central Park Avenue, where its old sign still hangs.
When it came time to expand again last year, Giannettino mulled over an offer to move to Northern Westchester, which promised "more affluent," clients.
"Numerous people told me to get out of Yonkers," he said. "I sat down and I thought about it. I chatted with my family and said 'You know what? It's not gonna happen.' We are firmly committed to Yonkers."
Eventually, Giannettino and his family decided to move to a familiar place, a storefront just two blocks north on Central Park Avenue that used to be one of their old locations.
"It's double the size of our previous space, which is perfect for us because our business is growing," he said.
According to the Yonkers resident, Curto's is the largest appliance dealership in Westchester County and Manhattan. However, his most treasured clients are those in Yonkers and the neighboring Rivertowns.
"(The Rivertowns clients) are the clients who really helped make Curto's what it is today," he said.
Curto's has a demonstrable legacy of loyalty. Many of their employees are long-term staff members, including one individual who has worked for the company for 40 years.
Giannettino said he values keeping employees, because it helps them build relationships with clients who know they can always call and speak to their representative.
Featured in the new space are two live kitchens, hooked up to gas and water for demonstrations. Giannettino hopes to host cooking demonstrations and other events featuring the store's appliances.
"I like to call it an appliance playroom," he said, "People can come in and test out the appliances for themselves."
Giannettino said there has been talk of the City coming to do a ribbon-cutting, and that overall they have been very helpful in allowing Curto's to do business in Yonkers over the long-term.
Curto's is located at 1966 Central Park Avenue.
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