“We are, and will continue to become, much more than a gas station, and it’s not your average mom-and-pop store. We offer gas, groceries, convenience items, a pizzeria, deli, café, and community hub.”
–Primo Stropoli, owner
Primo Stropoli and his family grew up in Tetta’s, a small country store and gas station founded by his great-grandfather Joseph Tetta in 1952 that provides vital services for locals and visitors to the tiny hamlet of Olivebridge on the shore of the Ashokan Reservoir.
“My grandparents Fred and Ana Tetta grew the store and carried nearly every item you could imagine,” says Primo. They also expanded the compound and added a tire garage and auto repair shop. “I was raised here; We all grew up working for them and absorbing their style. And with a small, family-run business like this, everyone is a jack-of-all-trades. My family, especially my father Richard, alongside our unwavering staff—we do nearly everything ourselves.”
That they do, and with a style that reflects the uniqueness of this Catskills community, they post on the business Facebook page about local goods, ice sculptures, free-range eggs, and their brand-new panini maker. The store closed for a year to renovate and reopened in May 2020 to the delight of users of the Ashokan Rail Trail, which opened the previous October. “We subtly rebranded as ‘Tetta’s Market’ because the goal is to evolve into more of a marketplace,” says Primo. “We are, and will continue to become, much more than a gas station, and it’s not your average mom-and-pop store. We offer gas, groceries, convenience items, a pizzeria, deli, café, and community hub.”
What’s the special recipe for decades-long success? Maybe creativity blended with an ironclad ethic of teamwork. “We are a raw and boisterous family, which creates a unique and genuine shopping experience,” says Primo. “There is also a strong sense of pride, which drives us to never settle. We adopt employees into the Tetta tribe and we work as a team. It’s a fun work environment and I think it shows. We have a personal relationship and long history with many of the customers. If it’s not screwed down, we’ll sell it. If it’s not illegal, we’ll do it.”
“We want to keep making sure the community gets its needs met, that visitors get a unique experience.”
–Primo Stropoli, owner
The reservoir area, for all its still-rural vibes, especially in the off-season, is a hugely popular tourist attraction, and Primo loves the diversity it brings. “We get a real mixed bag,” he says. “From Cowboy Joe to Tesla Tom, they all shop here. It makes for an interesting atmosphere and social interactions. We focus on consistency, good products and ingredients, personalized service, and fair prices. We are the only store for 20 minutes in every direction, but we make it a point not to take that for granted. We keep both the local and the weekender in mind with pricing and products that we carry. We listen.” Listening has led to longer hours (6am to 9pm, seven days a week), more variety in the grocery offerings, and the addition of the beloved deli and pizzeria.
Through it all, and through an intense learning curve, the family has remained dedicated to their calling. “The ability to build something, literally and figuratively, is motivating,” says Primo. “Each day is unpredictable and poses new obstacles, which keeps life interesting. Working for yourself and your community is extremely fulfilling. The amount of support from the community every step of the way is incredible.... We take our work seriously but not ourselves. We try to have a lighthearted approach to life in general. We embrace the grind. Following in my grandfather’s footsteps, we also like to keep things real with customers. None of the hokey, corporate sort of service.”
“We focus on consistency, good products and ingredients, personalized service, and fair prices.”
–Primo Stropoli, owner
In the months ahead, Tetta’s will be adding outdoor seating, live events, new kitchen equipment, and more variety in both grocery and menu offerings. “A little step forward each day,” says Primo. “We want to keep making sure the community gets its needs met, that visitors get a unique experience. And we’re building the legacy for the fifth generation.”
Tetta’s Market
2082 County Road 3, Olivebridge
845-657-2338
tettasmarket.com
