Couple behind Greenwich’s new Constantino’s Pizza and Ice Cream persevere with ‘pandemic-proof’ pairing – Greenwich Time

GREENWICH Like pizza and ice cream, Robyn and Michael Bordes, the owners of a new eatery in town, said they work in harmony.

Were like-minded in every aspect of what we do. Even from business to personal, we both have the same mentality, Michael Bordes said. Its almost like if she says something, I would never say no because thats exactly what I want to do.

The two set out in July 2021 to open Constantinos Pizza and Ice Cream, aiming to open in October after their wedding.

But the process hasnt been as smooth as anticipated.

Michael Bordes said he hoped to impress his new bride with a three-month renovation, but instead, Robyn Bordes said she is impressed by her husbands work in tackling every setback.

The permit process took more time and more money than anticipated, Michael Bordes said. He has worked in construction for 40 years and felt confident in his ability to renovate the old Stateline Deli to meet their needs.

But inspectors required equipment and systems upgrades, leading the Bordes to transform the commercial kitchen in the building on West Putnam Avenue.

Then the town denied plans to paint the exterior in a vibrant, pizza-inspired design, Michael Bordes said.

So when were coming off of a global pandemic, and you have entrepreneurs or small business owners that are trying to open within a community after everybodys shutting their doors, both my husband and I looked at it as this should be something that is to be celebrated, accelerated and almost fast-tracked because you want to revitalize the community, Robyn Bordes said.

So, it was a setback for us and a very expensive one at that. But were honored to be able to open in Greenwich, she said.

It seemed like opening day was coming quickly in March, so they hired staff and prepared. But it ended up that they were still eight weeks away from their opening doors.

Constantinos paid its staff during that time, despite not having customers, the pair said.

I think that that goes a long way in every business that we own is that we have incredible staff, and we trust them, Robyn Bordes said.

They hope to franchise the business and have created merchandise with their pizza and ice cream logo.

Michael Bordes said he selected the name Constantinos as the wedding day neared to honor his wifes late father since Robyn Bordes prepared to take his last name.

It meant more to me that it was my dads name, but also that it was my husbands idea to name it after my dads name, Robyn Bordes said.

She has a 15-year career in public relations and up until last year owned Villaggios in Hartsdale, N.Y. Her husband credits her with the businesss bright aesthetic.

During her time at Villaggios, she said she noticed pizzas success even through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. She describes pizza and ice cream as pandemic-proof.

You cant ever get tired of ice cream and pizza. I mean, pizza is like everyones favorite food, she said.

To make the interior as welcoming to as many customers as possible, Constantinos used ideas from KultureCity, a sensory accessibility nonprofit, to create a space suitable for those with sensory needs.

The area, which is awaiting furniture, will have comfortable chairs, sensory activities and headphones, the restaurants new owners said.

Constantinos, which opened Wednesday at 699 W. Putnam Ave. in Greenwich, will hold a grand opening celebration beginning at noon Sunday.

annelise.hanshaw@hearstmediact.com

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Couple behind Greenwich's new Constantino's Pizza and Ice Cream persevere with 'pandemic-proof' pairing - Greenwich Time