Everything Yogurt was the Nicotras’ first food venture, a bright, beloved stop in the Staten Island Mall during the 1980s. Long before fro‑yo became a national craze, borough residents lined up here for a taste of the famed swirl. It was ahead of its time, introducing yogurt as a fun, healthier twist on dessert and planting the seed for the Nicotras’ future in hospitality.

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(Advance/SILive.com | Steve Zaffarano)

Everything Yogurt, the beginning

Everything Yogurt was the Nicotras’ first food venture, a bright, beloved stop in the Staten Island Mall during the 1980s. Long before fro‑yo became a national craze, borough residents lined up here for a taste of the famed swirl. It was ahead of its time, introducing yogurt as a fun, healthier twist on dessert and planting the seed for the Nicotras’ future in hospitality.

Lois and Richard Nicotra share a light moment with Corinne Arena, senior vice president of The Nicotra Group’s Restaurant Division, as they chat about Mr. Nicotra’s upcoming “Birthday Cabaret.” It’s a fitting scene inside Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret at the Hilton Garden Inn — one of several food and entertainment destinations the Nicotras have built across their Staten Island complexes. With singer Ray Monte set to perform the beloved hits of his father, Lou Monte, the evening blends what the Nicotras do best: good food, warm hospitality, and the kind of memories that keep people coming back.

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(Courtesy/Hilton Garden Inn

Ray Monte

Lois and Richard Nicotra share a light moment with Corinne Arena, senior vice president of The Nicotra Group’s Restaurant Division, as they chat about Mr. Nicotra’s upcoming “Birthday Cabaret.” It’s a fitting scene inside Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret at the Hilton Garden Inn — one of several food and entertainment destinations the Nicotras have built across their Staten Island complexes. With singer Ray Monte set to perform the beloved hits of his father, Lou Monte, the evening blends what the Nicotras do best: good food, warm hospitality, and the kind of memories that keep people coming back.

Scenes from the Richmond University Medical Center Foundation’s 19th Annual Gala, held at the Hilton Garden Inn on Nov. 1, 2025, one of the many food‑and‑hospitality spaces the Nicotras have built on Staten Island. From left: Bobby Urs, honoree; Daniel Messina; Dr. Francesco Rotatori, honoree; Tim Harrison; and Lois and Richard Nicotra. The evening unfolded inside a venue shaped by the same couple whose philanthropy now reaches from hospital lobbies to school cafeterias, a reminder of how often the Nicotras’ spaces become the backdrop for the borough’s biggest moments. (Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com)

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(Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com)

RUMC

Scenes from the Richmond University Medical Center Foundation’s 19th Annual Gala, held at the Hilton Garden Inn on Nov. 1, 2025, one of the many food‑and‑hospitality spaces the Nicotras have built on Staten Island. From left: Bobby Urs, honoree; Daniel Messina; Dr. Francesco Rotatori, honoree; Tim Harrison; and Lois and Richard Nicotra. The evening unfolded inside a venue shaped by the same couple whose philanthropy now reaches from hospital lobbies to school cafeterias, a reminder of how often the Nicotras’ spaces become the backdrop for the borough’s biggest moments. (Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com)

The Nicotras’ “Dinner Is On Me!” initiative provides free, family‑style meals to every student at The Young Women’s Leadership School on Staten Island, delivered through their partnership with ReThink Food and prepared by their social‑enterprise eatery, Pienza Brick Oven Pizza Café. The program ensures that students bring home well‑balanced dinners twice a month, a quiet but powerful extension of the Nicotras’ long tradition of feeding and supporting their community.

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Pamela Silvestri | silvestri@siadvance.com

Nicotra

The Nicotras’ “Dinner Is On Me!” initiative provides free, family‑style meals to every student at The Young Women’s Leadership School on Staten Island, delivered through their partnership with ReThink Food and prepared by their social‑enterprise eatery, Pienza Brick Oven Pizza Café. The program ensures that students bring home well‑balanced dinners twice a month, a quiet but powerful extension of the Nicotras’ long tradition of feeding and supporting their community.

On the loading dock with Richard Nicotra: a glimpse into the quiet generosity that has become the Nicotras’ signature. From free family‑style dinners for students to support for hospitals, schools, and food pantries, their impact reaches far beyond their hospitality complexes, places known for restaurants, cafés, and community gatherings that feed Staten Island in every sense of the word.

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Pamela Silvestri | silvestri@siadvance.com

Nicotra

On the loading dock with Richard Nicotra: a glimpse into the quiet generosity that has become the Nicotras’ signature. From free family‑style dinners for students to support for hospitals, schools, and food pantries, their impact reaches far beyond their hospitality complexes, places known for restaurants, cafés, and community gatherings that feed Staten Island in every sense of the word.

So much is happening in this moment — a glimpse into the quiet generosity that has become the Nicotras’ signature. Each of these meals carries a handwritten note for the families who will receive them, part of the “Dinner Is On Me!” program that delivers free, well‑balanced dinners to students and their households. It’s food as care, packed with intention, and another example of how the Nicotras keep showing up for Staten Island.

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Pamela Silvestri | silvestri@siadvance.com

Nicotra

So much is happening in this moment — a glimpse into the quiet generosity that has become the Nicotras’ signature. Each of these meals carries a handwritten note for the families who will receive them, part of the “Dinner Is On Me!” program that delivers free, well‑balanced dinners to students and their households. It’s food as care, packed with intention, and another example of how the Nicotras keep showing up for Staten Island.

“Dinner Is On Me!” is powered not just by generosity, but by the hands and labor of staff from across the Nicotra properties, from Pienza at Commons Three, home to Social Security and medical offices, to Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret inside the Hilton Garden Inn. It’s a full‑team effort that turns their hospitality footprint into real meals for real families.

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Pamela Silvestri | silvestri@siadvance.com

Nicotra

“Dinner Is On Me!” is powered not just by generosity, but by the hands and labor of staff from across the Nicotra properties, from Pienza at Commons Three, home to Social Security and medical offices, to Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret inside the Hilton Garden Inn. It’s a full‑team effort that turns their hospitality footprint into real meals for real families.

Pienza Brick Oven Pizza Café is the Nicotras’ social‑enterprise eatery inside Corporate Commons Three, where 100% of profits are donated to Staten Island charities. There’s no traditional dining room here—instead, Pienza fuels the building’s workers and visitors while quietly powering scholarships, food programs, and community grants. It’s a business model built on the idea that everyday meals can generate extraordinary impact, turning a café into a steady engine of giving.

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Pamela Silvestri | silvestri@siadvance.com

Pienza

Pienza Brick Oven Pizza Café is the Nicotras’ social‑enterprise eatery inside Corporate Commons Three, where 100% of profits are donated to Staten Island charities. There’s no traditional dining room here—instead, Pienza fuels the building’s workers and visitors while quietly powering scholarships, food programs, and community grants. It’s a business model built on the idea that everyday meals can generate extraordinary impact, turning a café into a steady engine of giving.

Scenes from the 29th Annual Teddy Dinner, hosted at Nicotra’s Ballroom on Nov. 20, 2025. The evening brought together Lois and Richard Nicotra with Borough President Vito Fossella and his wife, Mary Pat, for one of Staten Island’s longstanding community traditions.

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Michael O’Brien | mobrien@siadvance.com

Atlas Foundation brings stars to Staten Island at 29th Annual Teddy Dinner

Scenes from the 29th Annual Teddy Dinner, hosted at Nicotra’s Ballroom on Nov. 20, 2025. The evening brought together Lois and Richard Nicotra with Borough President Vito Fossella and his wife, Mary Pat, for one of Staten Island’s longstanding community traditions.Get PhotoFood and hospitality at the heart of the ballroom: Richard and Lois Nicotra pose with Richmond County Public Administrator Edwina Frances Martin at the Staten Island NAACP’s Freedom Fund Luncheon, held at Nicotra’s Ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. The milestone gathering marked 100 years of service to the community, celebrated inside one of the Nicotras’ signature spaces — a venue known for its warm hospitality, generous tables, and the way it brings Staten Islanders together around food and purpose. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)

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OWEN REITER

Staten Island NAACP celebrates 100 years of service to the community

Food and hospitality at the heart of the ballroom: Richard and Lois Nicotra pose with Richmond County Public Administrator Edwina Frances Martin at the Staten Island NAACP’s Freedom Fund Luncheon, held at Nicotra’s Ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. The milestone gathering marked 100 years of service to the community, celebrated inside one of the Nicotras’ signature spaces — a venue known for its warm hospitality, generous tables, and the way it brings Staten Islanders together around food and purpose. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com)Get PhotoLois and Rich share a laugh on their 46th wedding anniversary as they celebrate the ribbon cutting of the newly renovated Lois and Richard Nicotra Heart Institute. Their gift funded the upgrade at Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital, a continuation of their long tradition of giving back to the borough they love. June 3, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma‑Hammel)

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Jan Somma-Hammel | jsomma@siadvance.com

Nicotra Heart Institute ribbon cutting

Lois and Rich share a laugh on their 46th wedding anniversary as they celebrate the ribbon cutting of the newly renovated Lois and Richard Nicotra Heart Institute. Their gift funded the upgrade at Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital, a continuation of their long tradition of giving back to the borough they love. June 3, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma‑Hammel)Get PhotoThe reach of the Nicotras’ generosity touches students, families, patients and neighbors across Staten Island. The Susan Wagner High School Band opened the ceremony for the ribbon cutting of the newly renovated Lois and Richard Nicotra Heart Institute, an upgrade funded by the couple’s gift to Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital. The celebration also marked their 46th wedding anniversary. June 3, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma‑Hammel)

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Jan Somma-Hammel | jsomma@siadvance.com

Nicotra Heart Institute ribbon cutting

The reach of the Nicotras’ generosity touches students, families, patients and neighbors across Staten Island. The Susan Wagner High School Band opened the ceremony for the ribbon cutting of the newly renovated Lois and Richard Nicotra Heart Institute, an upgrade funded by the couple’s gift to Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital. The celebration also marked their 46th wedding anniversary. June 3, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma‑Hammel)Get PhotoThe United States flag, the broad range of medical staff and patients, and the unmistakable sense of care are all embodied in this moment of a flag salute. Scenes from the Lois and Richard Nicotra ribbon cutting of the newly renovated Lois and Richard Nicotra Heart Institute on June 3, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma‑Hammel)

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Jan Somma-Hammel | jsomma@siadvance.com

Nicotra Heart Institute ribbon cutting

The United States flag, the broad range of medical staff and patients, and the unmistakable sense of care are all embodied in this moment of a flag salute. Scenes from the Lois and Richard Nicotra ribbon cutting of the newly renovated Lois and Richard Nicotra Heart Institute on June 3, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma‑Hammel)Get PhotoMallory C. Vasquez, RN, sings the National Anthem at the ribbon cutting of the newly renovated Lois and Richard Nicotra Heart Institute. The celebration honored the couple whose gift made the upgrade at Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital possible. June 3, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma‑Hammel)

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Jan Somma-Hammel | jsomma@siadvance.com

Nicotra Heart Institute ribbon cutting

Mallory C. Vasquez, RN, sings the National Anthem at the ribbon cutting of the newly renovated Lois and Richard Nicotra Heart Institute. The celebration honored the couple whose gift made the upgrade at Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital possible. June 3, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma‑Hammel)Get PhotoLois and Richard Nicotra address the NYPD Staten Island Medical Division during the ribbon cutting and tour of its new state‑of‑the‑art clinic in Bloomfield on Nov. 1, 2023. The moment reflects the Nicotras’ signature blend of hospitality, community partnership and support for the people who serve the borough. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma‑Hammel)

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Jan Somma-Hammel | jsomma@siadvance.com

NYPD Staten Island Medical Division

Lois and Richard Nicotra address the NYPD Staten Island Medical Division during the ribbon cutting and tour of its new state‑of‑the‑art clinic in Bloomfield on Nov. 1, 2023. The moment reflects the Nicotras’ signature blend of hospitality, community partnership and support for the people who serve the borough. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma‑Hammel)Get PhotoLois and Richard Nicotra welcome guests to the ceremonial ribbon cutting on Monday, November 4, celebrating a milestone in Mount Sinai’s ongoing commitment to caring for Staten Island residents. Their warmth, presence and long history of giving set the tone for an event centered on community and care. (Staten Island Advance)

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Jan Somma-Hammel | jsomma@siadvance.com

The Mount Sinai Health System

Lois and Richard Nicotra welcome guests to the ceremonial ribbon cutting on Monday, November 4, celebrating a milestone in Mount Sinai’s ongoing commitment to caring for Staten Island residents. Their warmth, presence and long history of giving set the tone for an event centered on community and care. (Staten Island Advance)

The site itself tells the story — The Circle at Corporate Commons Three was designed with intentional open space, sustainable architecture and a campus layout that puts community first. Images from The Lois & Richard Nicotra Foundation Award Ceremony at The Circle, where $41,584.44 was awarded to “Do Good” on Staten Island, bringing total giving to more than $1,091,650.25. (Staten Island Advance/Toniann DiCostanzo)

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Toniann DiCostanzo | For the Advance/SILive.com

Nicotra Foundation Awards

The site itself tells the story — The Circle at Corporate Commons Three was designed with intentional open space, sustainable architecture and a campus layout that puts community first. Images from The Lois & Richard Nicotra Foundation Award Ceremony at The Circle, where $41,584.44 was awarded to “Do Good” on Staten Island, bringing total giving to more than $1,091,650.25. (Staten Island Advance/Toniann DiCostanzo)

Space, sky, trees and the Bloomfield Conservancy define The Circle at Corporate Commons Three, a campus built around open land and thoughtful design rather than concrete and congestion. Images from The Lois & Richard Nicotra Foundation Award Ceremony at The Circle, where $41,584.44 was awarded to “Do Good” on Staten Island, bringing total giving to more than $1,091,650.25. (Staten Island Advance/Toniann DiCostanzo)

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Toniann DiCostanzo | For the Advance/SILive.com

Nicotra Foundation Awards

Space, sky, trees and the Bloomfield Conservancy define The Circle at Corporate Commons Three, a campus built around open land and thoughtful design rather than concrete and congestion. Images from The Lois & Richard Nicotra Foundation Award Ceremony at The Circle, where $41,584.44 was awarded to “Do Good” on Staten Island, bringing total giving to more than $1,091,650.25. (Staten Island Advance/Toniann DiCostanzo)

Grand Marshals Lois and Richard Nicotra at the 115th Travis Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, greeted with the kind of hometown love that follows them wherever they go. (Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com)

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Steve White | For the Advance/SILive.com

The 115th Travis Fourth of July Parade

Grand Marshals Lois and Richard Nicotra at the 115th Travis Fourth of July Parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, greeted with the kind of hometown love that follows them wherever they go. (Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com)