Caffe Italia to celebrate 50 years with fest, fundraiser

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Caffe Italia is celebrating 50 years in business this year and one year in business at the Hamilton Square location. The La Dolce Vita De 50: Italian Fest and Fundraiser by the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce will be the center of this milestone celebration on Saturday, June 28.

The community celebration will run from 1 to 8 p.m. in the Hamilton Square parking lot in Guilderland. It's going to be an Italian-style block party with food, vendors, dancing, music, raffles, and more.

It's free to attend the event with all proceeds going to benefit the South End Children's Cafe, which is a nonprofit that supports youth in Albany with meals, enrichment programs, and educational support. There will also be a KidZone at the block party that children can get into for a $10 wristband.

“When my parents opened Caffe Italia in 1975, they simply wanted to share good food and create a space where everyone felt like family,” said Maria Karandy, co-owner of Caffe Italia. “Fifty years later, it’s incredible to see how that vision has grown and how many memories have been made around our tables from birthdays and baptisms to graduations and weddings. We’re honored to celebrate this milestone with the community that supported us every step of the way, and to pay it forward by supporting the South End Children’s Café.”