Pizza, pasta and amore may be the slogan for the popular local chain, Mary’s Pizza Shack, but it’s also the way JC student Emily Meals was raised.

Emily, or known to her friends as Emmy, keeps the restaurant literally in the family. The restaurant’s founder, Mary Fazio, was her great-aunt. Both of her parents met in the Shack, and without Mary’s Pizza, Meals can honestly say she wouldn’t be here.

Turning 18 and officially marking two years at the Shack in December, Emmy balances school work, Shack work, a personal life and somehow makes it look easy. Although sometimes she admits, “it is hard work,” she says, “I think it is a good experience because it helps prepare you for how it is when you have to handle both work and family life.”

Her father raised Meals locally when her mother died early on in her life. While her dad, Greg, was at work, Meals spent time with her nanny, whom she was close to. Her nanny helped “frame who I am today,” Emmy says with a smile on her face, “she raised eight kids and never became angry or upset with us.” Which speaks miles for Meals’ character, who would never snap at anyone.

“She taught me how to handle people,” Meals later said. Which comes in handy at a busy restaurant. Meals started working at Mary’s officially two years ago as a cashier answering phones, has worked her way up to hosting and has her eye on a serving position come her 18th birthday. “Knock on wood” she says.

Unlike most, Emmy doesn’t dread going to work every day. She views work as a way to “relieve stress” from schoolwork or personal life. “Working takes my mind off my problems,” Meals says, “I look forward to going to work and seeing my friends.” Admitting crew members have their occasional drama, Meals says they all laugh and get through their shifts together.

“Mary’s surrounds me,” she says wide-eyed and laughs. “But I still crave the food! I’ve been raised around it. At family events, there would be Mary’s. And even today, the chicken parmigiana and garlic bread are still my favorites.”

When asked about the changing chain, Meals admits, “Mary would be in shock of how many restaurants there are and people who work there…but I think she might be disappointed in the locations with full bars, Mary wanted her restaurant to be a family place.” The full bars in several locations are the chain’s attempt to stay modern and bring in more diverse business.

Although Mary’s has changed, it still provides a warm, inviting atmosphere that workers such as Meals help to provide. She loves seeing customers and people, and with a welcoming personality to match, despite the changes, Mary would be proud to see her great-niece following her footsteps.