"Our participation in Life In Abruzzo, specifically, having our restaurant in its directory, has been a boon to the growth of our business, and improved our recognition both locally, nationally, and internationally. Since we first listed ourselves on the page, we've been contacted and visited by people from the immediate area, especially folks seeking connection to their Abruzzese heritage. Philadelphia, South Jersey, and Delaware all boast large populations with roots in the region who use the site with regularity. These people are passionate about discovering their own history and experiencing the region's culture. Life In Abruzzo is a precious resource for them and we've profited from association with it. Whole, multigenerational families have discovered Le Virtù ' via LIA. We've also made contacts and loyal customers through LIA from as far away in North America as New York, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, and the Greater Toronto area. Business has also come our way from Abruzzo itself. Publicising special occasions on the page (our Panarda feast, wine dinners featuring regional producers, etc) has allowed us to expand our market for these events.
Our presence in LIA's directory has fostered contacts - with folks interested in the region, people looking for travel advice, people trying to find specific Abruzzese products and recipes, journalists interested in discovering Abruzzo, etc - that have led to real interactions and relationships that we simply could not have predicted but for which we're grateful. It allows for serendipity and the type of sincere interactions that positively impact not only our bottom line but the spirit of our restaurant. It adds to our bona fides and provides genuine connection."
Francis Cratil Cretarola & Cathy Lee
