Citarella Announces Rich Durante as CEO
Today, epicurean market and seafood specialist, Citarella, announces the appointment of Rich Durante as CEO. Durante brings more than 40 years of experience in the food retail industry with a particular focus in the specialty sector, which Citarella is known for.
Working closely with Owner and Founder Joe Gurrera, Durante will be in charge of operations, merchandising and team development for all of Citarella’s seven locations. Prior to joining Citarella, Rich served as CMO at North Carolina based chain, The Fresh Market and has held executive positions at AG Supermarket Holdings, Balducci’s Market and Balducci’s On The Go Cafe. His extensive background includes leadership positions across multiple disciplines: merchandising, operations, marketing and engineering.
“The addition of Rich to our Citarella family will bring a level of leadership experience and expertise in food retail to allow our Citarella stores to continue to grow and operate at the highest level,” said Gurrera.
Since purchasing the store in 1983, Gurrera and his team have grown the Citarella brand to include seven locations among New York City, the Hamptons and Greenwich, Connecticut. Citarella has an enviable reputation for its fresh seafood selection, finest prime aged meats in the country, restaurant quality prepared foods and mouthwatering desserts. In addition to Citarella, Joe owns and operates Lockwood & Winant at the historic Fulton Fish Market.
Gurrera’s next project is to sell seafood online across the continental United States. “I want customers in Omaha to experience the same fresh seafood as New York Citarella customers.”
“Joe Gurrera has built Citarella into an iconic brand with a stellar reputation, and it’s an honor to be a part of the team,” said Durante. “From an unparalleled selection of the freshest seafood to renowned prepared foods and specialty items, they’ve got it all, and I’m looking forward to bringing my expertise to the table for the next chapter.”
Durante received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Seton Hall University. He’s a family man and sports/fitness enthusiast who enjoys spending time with his wife, three kids and first grandchild at their home in New Jersey.