The Aliquippa community and beyond are rallying to support the family behind Cesina’s Sausage Co. after a devastating fire earlier this month. “The last two weeks that we missed of making sausage accounts for about two months of regular business throughout the year,” said co-owner John Costanza.The Costanza family had been operating out of the now-damaged building since 1998, but their history in Aliquippa stretches back decades.“’68. That’s when they started making sausage for the store,” Costanza said. “My grandmother, my father and us, we would sit there and help as little ones. And then in ’78, they opened up the first Cesina’s sausage building.”After the fire, the Costanza siblings said they briefly questioned whether they should rebuild. While they do have insurance, it does not cover everything they lost.“We don’t even have plastic bags. Don’t have boxes. We don’t have labels,” Costanza said. “We have no power, no water, no windows, no doors, nothing.”But the family said encouragement and help from their children and the community have made a difference. “That was probably what was more emotional than, you know, the building burning — was the outpouring of support and love,” co-owner Charlene Costanza Tranelli said.Friends and family have stepped in to help the business get back on its feet. Tim Cumberledge is organizing a T-shirt Cesina’s Sausage Fundraiser, using a design inspired by Cesina’s sign through the years.Another family member also helped create a GoFundMe page.“Whether it’s helping us with prayers or helping us with buying a shirt or sending a few dollars to GoFundMe, it’s beautiful. It’s wonderful,” Costanza said.Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel
The Aliquippa community and beyond are rallying to support the family behind Cesina’s Sausage Co. after a devastating fire earlier this month.
“The last two weeks that we missed of making sausage accounts for about two months of regular business throughout the year,” said co-owner John Costanza.
The Costanza family had been operating out of the now-damaged building since 1998, but their history in Aliquippa stretches back decades.
“’68. That’s when they started making sausage for the store,” Costanza said. “My grandmother, my father and us, we would sit there and help as little ones. And then in ’78, they opened up the first Cesina’s sausage building.”
After the fire, the Costanza siblings said they briefly questioned whether they should rebuild. While they do have insurance, it does not cover everything they lost.
“We don’t even have plastic bags. Don’t have boxes. We don’t have labels,” Costanza said. “We have no power, no water, no windows, no doors, nothing.”
But the family said encouragement and help from their children and the community have made a difference.
“That was probably what was more emotional than, you know, the building burning — was the outpouring of support and love,” co-owner Charlene Costanza Tranelli said.
Friends and family have stepped in to help the business get back on its feet. Tim Cumberledge is organizing a T-shirt Cesina’s Sausage Fundraiser, using a design inspired by Cesina’s sign through the years.
Another family member also helped create a GoFundMe page.
“Whether it’s helping us with prayers or helping us with buying a shirt or sending a few dollars to GoFundMe, it’s beautiful. It’s wonderful,” Costanza said.
Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel