Business name: Villarina’s Pasta Shop of Newtown

Address: 20 Church Hill Road, Newtown

Owner: Ingrid Schneider

Background: Ms Schneider, a Danbury resident and longtime friend of the Villarina’s founders Steve and Sue Eskierski, said she decided to take over the company’s Newtown location after a corporate career that involved food service and event management. “This is such a great location, and everyone who has come in since I arrived has been so warm and welcoming,” she said. “I’m hoping to get more involved in the Newtown community in the coming months, and I look forward to learning about the kinds of products my customers enjoy so we can consider bringing them in or expanding on what we already carry.”

Focus: “I have no plans for significant changes, since we’ve already built a strong customer base after 17 years,” Ms Schneider said. “When something is working well for that long, you don’t want to change too much, and the products really speak for themselves.” While she is an independent owner of the shop, Ms Schneider said that about 80 percent of the store’s line will continue to be supplied by Villarina’s and their partners. While customers can learn more about the Villarina’s company, history, and products — including many available in Newtown — on their [naviga:u]villarinas.com[/naviga:u] website, Ms Schneider says, “I’m big on Facebook and Instagram. That’s where to learn about tastings, specials, new products, weather-related closings, and other news.”

Promotions/Specialties: “I will be holding regular tastings of both traditional and new products along with items I’m considering carrying,” Ms Schneider said. “This way I can expose our customers to a wide variety of what we carry, from dressings and soup to cookies and crackers. I have to depend on our visitors to tell me what they like, and I welcome feedback and suggestions to make them even happier.” The shop has recently added Wren scented candles, new cookie and bake shop treats, a new cavatelli heat and eat dinner, pumpkin pasta sauce, fresh pizza dough, chicken tenders, a garlic and parsley pasta, a cannoli chips and cream filling dip platter, and Maple Craft pancake mix, syrup, candy, and lip balm locally sourced from the Sandy Hook company.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 am to 7 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm; and Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm

Phone: 203-426-6366

Social Media:

Facebook: [naviga:u]@villarinaspastashopofnewtown[/naviga:u]

Instagram: [naviga:u]#pastashopnewtown[/naviga:u]