Italian pastry shop becomes founding member of new organization
NEW WINDSOR, NY (June 22, 2012) – Caffe Aurora, a family owned and operated business that has been a staple of the region for over 70 years, has joined the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance as a founding member.
The café, which has earned American Culinary Federation pastry and dessert awards for seven consecutive years, specializes in traditional Italian pastries and cakes, and has even built cakes to serve as many as 2,500 people. Caffe Aurora also makes its own Italian Ices, sorbet and gelato. The Food & Beverage Alliance is a venture of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC).
“The positive name and reputation that Caffe Aurora has made for itself over many decades and is now bringing to the Alliance is a great asset to our efforts,” said Mike Oates, President and CEO of the HVEDC. “We welcome this model business to the Alliance as we strive to maintain and build upon the outstanding foundation of food and beverage organizations that call our region home.”
The Food & Beverage Alliance focuses on helping food and beverage companies in the area work together as strong partners and market their products all over the United States. Launched by the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC), the organization includes food businesses, farmers, vegetable growers, beverage makers, distributors and other organizations in the industry.
Caffe Aurora was founded by Italian-born Paolo Strippoli and his wife, Filomena. He apprenticed and learned his trade in Bari, Italy, and immigrated to New York in 1935. After working for several years at Caffe Puglia in Yonkers and saving money, he started his own pasticceria (pastry shop) in 1941. Paolo’s youngest son, Louis, took over ownership of Caffe Aurora in 1980 and continues to operate the business today.
In addition to offering traditional Italian pastries and specialty cakes at its 145 Mill St. location in Poughkeepsie, Caffe Aurora also distributes its exclusive cannoli chips and dip dessert to all local Adams markets, as well as to Whole Foods Market in the Boston metropolitan area and some stores in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Maine.
“Today, Caffe Aurora continues the traditions instilled by my parents, and we are pleased to join the Food & Beverage Alliance,” said Louis Strippoli. “Our café and bakery has benefited greatly from being located here in the Hudson Valley, and we are happy to help out in any way we can to advance the food and beverage industry as a whole in this area.”
To learn more about the café, visit http://www.caffeaurora.com.
About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC): HVEDC represents seven counties in Hudson Valley. This public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. For more information on Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation or to review available business sites, visit http://www.HVEDC.com or call CEO Mike Oates at 845-220-2244.
