FOUNDERS:

Married October 9, 1917

                Guy opened a confectionary and grocery store in South Renovo Circa 1912.  He closed in 1917 to serve in the U.S. Army during WWI.  Upon his completion of duty, Guy & Pauline opened a grocery and produce store on August 15, 1919 in the Bush Arcade in downtown Bellefonte.  Besides retail and wholesale sales, Guy also made door-to-door deliveries of produce to residences.  It was the beginning of quality products and service!

                Guy was a very industrious person and a hard worker, and was determined to offer to customers the best products available.  To do so, and to be sure the very best was always offered, he handpicked the merchandise they would offer their customers.  He traveled to the Pittsburgh and Baltimore markets, personally inspected the produce, and brought it back to Bellefonte in his own truck, and the excellence began!  They soon became well known for their quality produce and service, and the business grew and prospered!

                Pauline worked in the store, serving customers, keeping records, doing the billing.  She was warm hearted and thoroughly enjoyed serving the public.  People often commented what a joy she was with her smiling face and her cheery, friendly manner.  Guy and Pauline had 9 children - 3 of them died at birth.  The six children  - Mary, Josephine, John Francis, Annette and Rose helped in the family business.

                Guy and Pauline operated the business until Guy's untimely and sudden death in January 1960.  Pauline was active in the business long after she "retired", and was in the store daily until an illness forced her to stop working in May 1987.  She passed away November 18, 1987.

                In 1958 John Bonfatto created the BONANZA SUB SANDWICH.  In the beginning there was one variety (Original-Italian), and two sizes, 8" & 16".  The 8" Bonanza Sub sold for $.35, the 16" for $.65.  As popularity of the Bonanza Sub grew, other varieties were added.  In later years the sizes were changed to 6", 12", and 18".  The name "BONANZA", referring to a sub, was registered as a trademark by John in 1963.  The Bonanza Sub made Bonfatto's famous for quality food and quick service at a reasonable price ... and the excellence continued!

                Bonfatto's began to evolve from grocery and produce to prepared ready-to-eat foods.  In 1965 John remolded a building at the rear of the store for selling pizza, and later added cheese steak sandwiches, hamburgers, fries, spaghetti, and a host of other sandwiches and meals "to go".  In 1970 further expansion occurred when a bar, "The Bellefonte Grille", was acquired.  In 1974 a restaurant was opened in the same building as the Grille, which was next to the store, and a new level of excellence began!

                In 1978 a devastating fire destroyed the store and pizza shop.  Rebuilding and consolidation then took place ad resulted in today's structures.  In 1980 Bonfatto's became BONFATTO'S, INC. with Pauline, John, Francis and Mary as officers of the new corporation. 

                On January 1, 1990 David Letterman, grandson of Guy and Pauline (Rose's son) became the third generation to join the family business.  He established a second Bonfatto's location in State College in August 5, 1991. He also expanded the business when he established Bonfatto's Complete Catering Services, which specializes in business meetings, picnic, theme parties, wedding receptions, and any other occasion.  Again the excellence grew!

                On July 15, 1999, David, along with his wife, Sherri, committed themselves in carrying out the tradition of excellence by becoming third generation owners of Bonfatto's, Inc.

                On November 25, 2000, the biggest expansion of the business occurred when David and Sherri opened Bonfatto's Restaurant and Lounge on Bishop Street in Bellefonte.  This modern facility quickly has become the talk of the town.  With seating capacity of 130, a full beautiful bar, expanded menu, and drive-up window, and great food and atmosphere, Guy and Pauline would be proud.  And the excellence continues to grow!

                In September 2004, David and Sherri recognized the need for further expansion of the restaurant.  So, on March 15, 2005 Nichele (after their daughters Nicole and Michele) Lounge was open.  It increased the seating capacity by 43 and added 1,300 square feet to the original 4,100 sq.ft.  More importantly, Nichele Lounge was designed to accommodate business meetings and small gatherings which was lacking in the Bellefonte area.