STRATFORD — The owners of Marianna’s Pantry announced “with a lot of gratitude in our hearts” their move from Trumbull to the Oronoque plaza, which they plan to open by May 1, they said via social media.

The two sisters, Melissa Cotto and Marina DeCarli, closed their Trumbull store at 6528 Main St. Feb. 20 and announced their new home at 7365 Main St., Stratford, March 3 on Facebook. 

"We’re incredibly thankful for the support, encouragement, and patience so many of you have shown us along the way," the sisters wrote in their post.

The landlord alerted them in May of 2025 that he would not renew their lease which was up in February, Cotto said. 

“It really threw me for a loop and I didn't know what I was going to do,” she said. 

Cotto and her sister spent several months looking for another location in Trumbull but had no luck until it was getting close to the wire, at the end of February, she said.

“Everywhere I looked, in Trumbull, out of Trumbull, nothing was working out. And I was looking for months,” Cotto said.

When the pair met with Stratford town officials and the owner of the plaza, who were “so accommodating,” Cotto said, “it kind of felt right. I was like, ‘you know what, we're going to do this, and we'll just sit on Trumbull for a minute.’”

And now the pair are eyeing another location in Trumbull that suddenly came up, and might add a second eatery.

“I can't say too much about it, but we do actually have a location, but it's, everything's not signed yet. We're still working out the details,” she said of the Trumbull site.

The sisters, meanwhile, are looking forward to opening in Stratford and are already planning to come up with a special sandwich named after the town. 

“And then we're going to add some of our loyal customers' names to our menu,” Cotto said.

They also plan to add acai bowls to menu at the new store and will serve breakfast and lunch sandwiches, pastries, coffees, shakes and smoothies.

In their post on social media, the pair wrote they were grateful to their customers

“This journey hasn’t always been easy,” the sisters said. “Because of you, we get the opportunity to keep going — and that means everything.” 

Unbeknownst to the sisters at first, a regular customer set up a Go Fund Me to help them with the costs of moving and rebuilding, which raised $2,970 out of its $4,500 goal. 

According to the Go Fund Me campaign, money raised is meant “to help two sisters rebuild their beloved community business.” Funds will go to moving expenses, equipment and the cost of setting up their new kitchen, according to the post.

The post called Marianna’s Pantry, “a true community treasure.” 

The small business, the post said, “has always been more than a place to grab a sandwich or pastry. It’s where neighbors connect, families gather, and everyone feels like part of the family.” 

In the past, the eatery had donated food to local fundraisers and supported school events.

Cotta said she grew up believing it's important to give back, something instilled by her mother who was a nurse, the Trumbull Times reported. The eatery is named after the sisters' mother, Marianna DeCarli.

“These sisters have shown up and been supportive & present in the community, now it’s our turn to show up for them,” the Go Fund Me post said.

Anne Gaydos, Stratford’s manager of Small Business Development, said the town is excited to see Marianna’s Pantry open in their town's shopping plaza.

“It’s always wonderful to see a new small business choose Stratford as its home. Marianna’s Pantry will be a terrific addition to the plaza and to Stratford’s growing food scene, and we look forward to welcoming them to the community,” Gaydos said.

Gaydos said she especially likes to see new food businesses come to town.
 
“New restaurants and specialty food businesses bring energy and vibrancy to our local business districts, and it’s great to see Stratford continue to attract places that residents and visitors can enjoy,” she said.

Cotto is eager to open the new eatery.

“I met with them yesterday and picked up my key, like, so fast. That was amazing, too,” she said.

March 5, 2026