What began as a tiny kiosk in a Clermont shopping plaza has grown into one of downtown’s most popular gathering spots, as Cosa Nostra Italian Deli has become a staple for residents seeking fresh Italian sandwiches, gelato and a sense of home.

Owner Eduardo Guedes and his wife, Thielli Lapetina, opened the business in 2022 as a small family operation inside West End Plaza. At the time, they lacked the money for a major investment and could not afford to hire employees.

“Back in 2022, Cosa Nostra was just a dream,” Eduardo says. “We were a tiny family business opening a tiny kiosk inside West End Plaza. At that time we did not have money to make a large investment. We could not even afford to hire employees. So my wife and I did everything ourselves. We prepared the food, served customers, cleaned the kiosk, handed off orders and took care of every detail. For almost an entire year we worked inside the business every day until we were finally able to hire our first employees.”

With steady customer support, the deli gradually expanded.

“With passion, dedication and a lot of hard work, Cosa Nostra began to grow,” Eduardo says. “Little by little more people began to discover it. Little by little, our customers supported us, believed in us and shared our story with the community.”

An opportunity then arose to relocate to a highly visible corner in historic downtown Clermont at 798 W. Montrose St. The couple faced a major financial hurdle.

“At that time we had a big problem,” Eduardo says. “We had no money. So we took the most difficult decision in our life. We put our house as collateral to take a loan to finish the remodel of the restaurant.”

That big gamble paid off as Cosa Nostra Italian Deli in Clermont held its grand opening and ribbon-cutting in late 2024.

Today the family-owned deli serves made-to-order sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, charcuterie boards, gelato, espresso and imported Italian grocery items. Meats and cheeses are sliced fresh daily. Outdoor pet-friendly seating and counter service with buzzers complete the casual experience.

The business draws on Italian family traditions, and most of its ingredients are imported from Italy. According to the deli’s website, the menu is inspired by those traditions, and the goal is to make every guest feel as if they’ve stepped into a small piece of Italy. The aim, the site says, is an experience that leaves guests “feeling welcomed, cared for, and eager to come back home to us.”

Customers have responded with strong reviews for the deli’s fresh ingredients, generous portions and welcoming atmosphere.

The concept has grown enough that Cosa Nostra recently opened a second location in Winter Garden while keeping the Clermont spot as its flagship.

The Clermont deli is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit cosanostra-italiandeli.com or call (352) 227-3740.