Gaetano’s

Gaetano’s Market and Deli is an Italian-style deli on Oregon’s North Coast featuring Italian meats and cheeses, as well as an assortment of homemade pastas, sauces, sausages, and lasagna.

The idea for the deli came about during the pandemic when siblings Rachel and Matthew Gaetano, along with Matthew’s wife, Julie, realized that they struggled to find the ingredients for their home-cooked Italian meals without a trip out of town.

The Gaetanos connected with the Clatsop Small Business Development Center and CEDR, where they:

• Outlined the critical steps needed to put a business plan in place
• Completed market and customer research
• Utilized LivePlan to produce an initial financial forecast
• Participated in the Small Business Boot Camp
• Completed the Small Business Management Program

The result was a highly strategic marketing plan that would prove to be more effective than they ever anticipated!
When they opened in 2021, the Gaetanos capitalized on the considerable momentum and buzz they had generated on social media and promptly sold out of nearly everything in the store. The days, weeks, and months that followed continued to validate their concept as locals and tourists alike frequented Gaetano’s for fresh sandwiches for lunch and ready-to-cook meals for dinner.

“I cannot say enough about what a valuable resource the SBDC is to those looking to start a business or improve an existing business,” Rachel Gaetano says.