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If you’re not ready to embark on a trip to Italy, you can stay local and have some good authentic Italian cuisine, just stop by Trolio’s Market on 323 Hazard Avenue in Enfield, CT where they offer a little bit of everything from grinders, paninis, salads & soups to imported cheeses, lasagna trays, chicken cutlets, eggplant parmesan and cannoli.
Owners Gino Trolio and Rita Mance are brother and sister who specialize in all homemade products and specially offer their father’s sausage recipe straight from Castelmauro, Italy. The same goes for their mother’s meatball and sauce recipe from Macchiagodena, Italy.
“Everything here is made from scratch with the finest ingredients,” said Trolio.
Mance added, “We have a passion for Italian cuisine because we grew up on it. We stay to true traditional style.” She went on to say, “When you come in, you’re going to feel like you’re at home. We love seeing people and talking with them.”
The children of two Italian immigrants, Mance and Trolio grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts. Every day they sat at the table for dinner, especially on Sundays, eating homemade pasta, meatballs and sauce, experiencing first hand the treasures of Italian cuisine.
The two got their start in the restaurant business thanks to their parents who owned Joy’s Restaurant in Ludlow serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and pizza. The siblings grew as workers in the dining industry through the family-owned small business, which was open for a total of 30 years. Trolio added Joy’s was an entire family affair as the extended family was involved in its daily operations.
The family would end up deciding to downsize to a smaller Italian market and eventually Trolio and Mance made their way to the Enfield community, continuing the family’s legacy in food service.
“When my father came from Italy and started the restaurant, what he taught me was the only thing that really matters in this type of business or any business, is just making the customers happy. He really didn’t care about anything else. His focus was make everybody happy and everything will be fine,” added Trolio.
Since the grand opening of Trolio’s Market on June 29, 2025, Trolio and Mance say it has been very steady and busy.
Donna Anderson from Enfield, CT, said the first time she went there, she knew she was going to be returning frequently. She’s a full-blooded Italian and loves the varieties of food. “The sausage is the best,” Anderson said. “I love the Italian atmosphere. Gino and Rita are just so friendly and wonderful.”
Nancy Swiatkiewicz, who’s also from Enfield, has been to Trolio’s Market several times and describes the space as a quaint little market with excellent food. Her favorite dishes are the Italian classic grinder, the meatball grinder and the homemade sweet sausage with garlic & Parmesan.
“Everything that I have tried has been fresh and flavorful,” Swiatkiewicz said. “Trolio’s Market stands out as they offer outstanding products and the owners, Gino and Rita, are very personable and always make you feel welcome.” She continued, “Trolio’s brings quality Italian food at reasonable prices, and you can always count on everything being delicious.”
Jodi Harmon from Stafford, CT, has become a patron of the market as well. She loves the comfortable deli style feeling inside and welcoming staff. Harmon is a vegetarian and got the veggie panini which she said was delicious. Then she ordered a meatball sandwich for her dad and who she added also had high praise for the meal. She ended up buying some pre-made meatballs to go for a future easy meal for him.
“I think being a small, owner-operated business is what makes them stand out,” Harmon said. “Talking directly to the person who is making your food, but who is also the person who is the decision maker on the business is great. They can hear the compliments/suggestions directly. And it all just feels more connected in small shops like Trolio’s.”
She continued, “I think a good sandwich shop with to-go foods as well is definitely perfect for that area of Enfield. I really appreciate supporting small, locally owned, owner-operated businesses.”
Going forward, Trolio and Mance are continuing to provide customers the taste and essence of Italy.
“The Trolio name has been around for 50 years,” said Trolio. “We have served many generations over the years. The smiles on the customers’ faces and the support of all of them coming in and enjoying themselves is the greatest reward.”
Trolio’s Market is open every day but on Tuesday. Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. They have online ordering and catering. They are also now accepting delivery orders through DoorDash. For more information, visit their website at www.troliosmarket.com. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.