Occupation: My wife, Gayle, and I are the co-owners and operators of Phinney’s Local Grocer in Newtown.

Family: My parents, Kate and Lou Forgione, are longtime residents of Newtown. My brother Paul lives up in Rochester, New York, with his fiancée, Claire, who acts as the creative director for Phinney’s.

Pets: My wife and I adopted Leon while out in Seattle last year. Leon is a mixed-breed rescue from Texas, DNA test pending.

How long have you lived in Newtown? I was born and raised in Newtown. After attending the Culinary Institute, I lived in New York City, Pleasantville, and Seattle, Washington, before returning to Newtown three months ago to open Phinney’s.

What do you like to do in your free time? Cooking, cycling, and hiking with Gayle and Leon.

What is your favorite book? Cultivating an Ecological Conscience by Frederick L. Kirschenmann.

What is your favorite travel destination? Copenhagen! Wonderful dining culture, lovely people, and a beautiful city. Gayle and I traveled to Copenhagen when we first started dating and it was our first trip abroad together.

What is the best part about Newtown? Newtown has a great mix of a small town feel while also having a vibrant and engaging community.

What organizations are you part of in Newtown? Phinney’s is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. We are looking to involve ourselves in more organizations post-pandemic!

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My parents and grandparents. They have always encouraged me to pursue what I am passionate about and were an amazing support system when Gayle and I told them that we would be returning home from Seattle to open Phinney’s.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? I was never able to meet my Grandmother Eileen, however through her influence on my mother, Kate, she has had a profound impact on my life; so I would love to meet her.

Who is your favorite musical artist? Steve Winwood, because Higher Love always puts a smile on my face.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? It is not advice but rather a saying, “A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”

What is something you cannot live without? My wife and fish sauce.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Opening Phinney’s Local Grocer in Newtown. Phinney’s combines all of my passions and allows me to share those passions with the local community, while working in partnership everyday with the woman I love.

If you could travel to the past or future, which would you choose and why? I would go to the past! I’m not a fan of spoilers and wouldn’t want to influence any of my present day decisions based on what I see in the future.

What is your favorite food? I love Italian food. Cooking and eating pasta is a true pastime of mine; any type of noodle will do.

What is your favorite TV show? I would have to say, Arrested Development, seasons one through three.