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Filippo Leo grew up in Antillo, Sicily, and at age 17 was the youngest officer enlisted in the Italian Navy. He worked as a navigator on Navy vessels for four years, and also for cruise ships. He left Italy in 1976 when his wife, Maddalena, wanted to move to America to be near her siblings.
Filippo Leo grew up in Antillo, Sicily, and at age 17 was the youngest officer enlisted in the Italian Navy. He worked as a navigator on Navy vessels for four years, and also for cruise ships. He left Italy in 1976 when his wife, Maddalena, wanted to move to America to be near her siblings.
"We knew each other. We grew up together over there," said Leo. "Then she came to the United States, and I followed her. I call that love."
"We knew each other. We grew up together over there," said Leo. "Then she came to the United States, and I followed her. I call that love."
Marchone's as it appeared in 1980 (MoCo Show)
When he first arrived in Montgomery County, Leo did construction work, but he was laid off after the first winter. After moving into the food service industry, he went from washing dishes in a pizza kitchen to owning the franchise. As an entrepreneur, he became part-owner of Marchone's Italian Specialties in Wheaton, a decades-old Italian delicatessen and grocery founded by Tom Marchone in 1955 and then owned by Tom's nephew Frank. Leo took over the business in 2012 after his partner Frank Marchone passed away and has managed it seven days a week ever since. He changed the name to "Filippo's" in 2014.
When he first arrived in Montgomery County, Leo did construction work, but he was laid off after the first winter. After moving into the food service industry, he went from washing dishes in a pizza kitchen to owning the franchise. As an entrepreneur, he became part-owner of Marchone's Italian Specialties in Wheaton, a decades-old Italian delicatessen and grocery founded by Tom Marchone in 1955 and then owned by Tom's nephew Frank. Leo took over the business in 2012 after his partner Frank Marchone passed away and has managed it seven days a week ever since. He changed the name to "Filippo's" in 2014.
"I love it. I love the people. I love to serve the people. Every day is an adventure.
"I love it. I love the people. I love to serve the people. Every day is an adventure.
To make new friends or see old friends all the time over here is wonderful."
To make new friends or see old friends all the time over here is wonderful."
In addition to managing his own successful business for decades, Filippo Leo has played a part in the success of the entire Wheaton business district. As vice chair of a county executive-appointed committee called the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee, he and the ten other members have cleaned up and beautified the Wheaton Triangle neighborhood, as well as helped to coordinate events from the city's 4th of July celebration to "A Taste of Wheaton," which happens every May.
In addition to managing his own successful business for decades, Filippo Leo has played a part in the success of the entire Wheaton business district. As vice chair of a county executive-appointed committee called the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee, he and the ten other members have cleaned up and beautified the Wheaton Triangle neighborhood, as well as helped to coordinate events from the city's 4th of July celebration to "A Taste of Wheaton," which happens every May.
Filippo Leo has put his business up for sale as of 2022, with plans to retire.
Filippo Leo has put his business up for sale as of 2022, with plans to retire.
“As the owner of this establishment, my job is everything. I’ve been in business here in Wheaton for 34 years. It’s a great place to be. Wheaton is well known for the little mom and pop stores – small business. We have a lot of customers, they are very loyal." (2020)
“As the owner of this establishment, my job is everything. I’ve been in business here in Wheaton for 34 years. It’s a great place to be. Wheaton is well known for the little mom and pop stores – small business. We have a lot of customers, they are very loyal." (2020)
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