NEW YORK, NY
MY NEW YORK STORY
MARIA DI RENDE, ENZO’S OF ARTHUR AVENUE By Patricia Canole
ou’ll often find Maria Di Rende, a mother of five, making the rounds at Enzo’s Restaurant of Arthur Avenue. Nearly three years ago, Maria became a full-on restaurateur after her husband, Enzo, suddenly died. But with hard work and family support, Maria is preserving his legacy while introducing her own ideas to the restaurant. Since her husband’s passing, she has taken charge of the business while raising their five daughters. She has stayed true to Enzo’s mission but has now added her own vision. “You must always have a sense of purpose in what you do,” she told us, recalling how she got through those tough moments. “My reason was to make sure that what my husband wanted would continue.” After Enzo’s death, Maria had a lot to learn. Yes, she was apprehensive. But the operations came naturally. She could count on family support—her aunt, uncle, and cousin—and trust them with important tasks, like menu specials. Maria often thinks about being the head of the family business, a role never considered for her grandmother and mother. The secret to success is something she’s learned on the job, and it comes from within. “I tell my daughters to do what you think is best and prove it to yourself,” she said. New York Lifestyles met with Maria recently and learned even more about this fascinating woman. 60 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | FEBRUARY 2021
Maria Di Rende
