1 in 8700: The Power Couple Behind Costello's

Whether you eat there once a week, or just enjoy a sub from time to time, we can all agree that Costello’s Market is a staple of Middlebury.

Many students of the College frequent this Italian market in the Marble Works Many move in and out quickly, rushing to class or to a club meeting, just picking up a sandwich and leaving. As a result, many of us have yet to meet the faces behind it all.

Meet Carolyn Costello. She has lived in Middlebury her entire life and co-owns the market, located at 2 Maple St., with her husband John Costello.

The couple has worked in the restaurant business for their entire lives, but as John began to approach his sixties, he chose to leave the stress of working on-the-line after 40 years.

The couple then decided to open Costello’s market in 2007, which Carolyn describes as a daunting leap of faith. They were uncertain whether the Restaurant’s business could support them both.  Costello’s, however, has since earned a loyal customer base.

Costello’s boasts an extensive menu of unique sandwiches, salads, pasta and seafood. It occupies a cozy storefront with authentic Italian products covering every inch of it.

The couple purchases vegetables from local growers but are influenced primarily by their almost yearly travels to Italy.  According to Carolyn, however, John has an open mind and believes that he can learn about cooking from anybody.

She attributes a great deal of the business’s success to her husband’s culinary skills and speaks about him with admiration.

“John is extremely talented, I believe,” Carolyn said.  “That is my opinion.  He is very humble, so he would never say that.  I think he is very creative.”

A long past with the community has also aided Costello’s success. Carolyn comes from a long line of successful Middlebury business owners; her uncle ran a bakery here, and her grandfather owned a gas station where the Otter Creek bakery currently is.

“That is another plus when you’re opening a business,” said Carolyn, “for people to know who you are and a little bit of your history.”

The couple works tirelessly around the clock, sometimes seventy hours a week.

“But it’s ok,” said Carolyn, “because all this hard work is paying off. We have this great business.”

For those of us who spend only four years here in Middlebury, it is hard to imagine the connection that Carolyn feels with the town.

“When I go shopping it takes me an hour to get one thing because I know everybody at the grocery store,” Carolyn said. “I just love the people.  Everyone knows everyone.”

She believes that Middlebury has changed noticeably throughout her time here, growing in size and developing new commercial centers. Still, she believes that it retains its distinct charm and intimacy.

“It is nice to have that small feel even though I know it isn’t as small as it used to be,” said Carolyn.

She chats with nearly all her customers, extending her small town friendliness to Middlebury students.

“A lot of times, I feel they are my own kids,” said Carolyn.

To her, meeting new customers and connecting with old ones is her favorite part of going to work.  The couple lack any grand ambitions of expanding but hope to maintain their pattern of consistent growth.

“We just want to keep on going like we have been going,” said Carolyn. “We feel quite lucky to have what we have.”

And the Middlebury community feels lucky to have Costello’s as well.