Little Italy pizzeria feeds heroes
Councilman Fernando Cabrera awards Bella Pizza with an offi cial citation
BY JASON COHEN
One pizzeria in Little Italy
has been committed to keeping
heroes fed in the midst of
a global pandemic.
As many businesses have
shuttered or struggled during
COVID-19, Bella Pizza has not
only stayed open but they’ve
also provided food for fi rst
responders and many who
cannot afford to put food on
the table.
Residents told Councilman
Fernando Cabrera about the
generosity of the establishment
at 4555 Third Ave. and
last week, the lawmaker recognized
them as he presented
its owner Hassan Ademaj with
a citation.
“Today we came to honor
an unsung hero in our community,”
Cabrera said. “I’m
happy to present this offi cial
New York City Council citation
to Hassan Ademaj, who
demonstrates daily acts of
kindness, love and caring for
his community and all of humanity.
Whether providing
free food, allowing customers
who don’t have enough to
pay what they can, and many
other gestures of giving, Hassan
Ademaj embodies that
ideal of treating others as we
would want ourselves and our
loved ones to be treated.”
Ademaj, who fl ed Kosovo
during the war in 1998 and
moved to America, has owned
the pizzeria for fi ve years. Living
through such harsh times,
the pizza shop owner said that
he is a man who wears his
heart on his sleeve.
Even if people are a little
short on cash, Ademaj lets
them eat at his restaurant.
“We’ve been working very
hard to do the best for the
community,” he said. “It’s an
honor to receive the citation.
When you help people you
feel good.”
One of the people who told
the councilman about Bella
Pizzeria was real estate agent
and customer Luis Vega. Vega
said he admired how it has
stayed open throughout the
pandemic when people needed
it the most.
Councilman Fernando Cabrera presents Bella Pizzeria owner Hassan Ademaj with a citation.
Photos by Jason Cohen
Visit us in Co-Op City
500 Baychester Ave (@ Baychester & Bartow)
Contact Theresa Whittick at (347) 964-3237,
theresaann.whittick@td.com,
or visit tdbank.com/smallbusiness.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,6 NOV. 27-DEC. 3, 2020 BTR
Vega also commended the
delivery man Melvin, who had
been risking his life to bring
customers food during the past
eight months of COVID-19.
“I nominated Hassan
Ademaj for this recognition
because I noticed he was doing
good deeds out of the kindness
of his heart,” Vega said. “You
seldom see people give without
expecting to receive.”
Let’s talk shop
about your shop.
Your business has been there for Co-Op City.
We’re here for you, too.
Unexpectedly Human
Member FDIC, TD Bank, N.A.
37935-TD20_Co-Op_City_GO_Post_SB_8.75x5.6875_r5.indd 1 10/23/20 10:01 AM
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