Can a Restaurant Bring People Together? Bella Italia, Family and Community with Loredana Calabrese

What happens when a restaurant encourages people to put away their phones and simply talk to each other? At Bella Italia in North Berwick, Scotland, a simple sign on the door reads: "We do not have Wi-Fi. Talk to each other. Pretend it's 1995." That sign caught my attention while I was teaching at Queen Margaret University in Scotland. But it was what happened inside the restaurant that stayed with me. In this episode of Stories of Change & Creativity , I talk with Loredana (Lora) Calabrese about family and why creating a place where people truly connect may be more important today than ever. I noticed something special about the restaurant. Yes, the food was great but so was the atmosphere. Lora shares the story of her father, Giovanni Mastrocinque, and his journey from Italy to Scotland. Through hard work, he built a successful family business that continues to bring people together more than four decades later. What struck me most about Lora's story is that Bella Italia isn't really a story about a restaurant. It's a story about people. It's about creating a place where families gather and memories are made. When I later told local interior designer Emma Cross that I was planning to interview Lora, she said, "That's where everyone goes for celebrations." This simple comment made me even more curious about the story behind Bella Italia and the family who built it. In this Episode • The story behind Bella Italia and its founding in 1981 • Giovanni Mastrocinque’s journey from Italy to Scotland • The famous "No WiFi" sign and why it resonates with customers • Lessons Lora learned from her father about hard work and perseverance • Building a family business across generations • Creating a place where people feel welcome and valued Connect with Bella Italia Bella Italia Restaurant North Berwick, Scotland Stories of Change: Helping You Navigate What’s Next Hosted by Judy Oskam Navigating a change or wondering what comes next? Hear real stories from people who have faced unexpected turns, made important choices, and figured things out along the way. A little wisdom to help you find your own way forward. Explore more at StoriesofChangePodcast.com .