Meet Ciao Bella Market

Italy, Right Here in Perry

When Telisa and Daniele Asaro first imagined retirement, it was in Italy. But when grandchildren entered the picture, the Asaros decided to stay in Georgia and bring Italy to Perry. The result: Ciao Bella Market.

Perry wasn't a random choice. "It was a no-brainer to us," Telisa says, "because a sense of community and hospitality already exists here."

The name Ciao Bella means "Hi Beautiful." It's a common Italian phrase. Daniele smiles when he explains it: "It's a very catchy name. It sticks to you."

What You'll Find Inside

The Asaros want visitors to feel as though they've stepped into an Italian piazza, a public square where people gather, socialize, and go about their daily lives.

The first third of the shop will feature carefully curated Italian goods that can't be found on Amazon or at the grocery store, including pastas, olive oils, sauces, and home goods.

The middle section will offer deli items and pastries—straightforward, authentic Italian food: no hot entrées or plated meals. The menu will be true to what you'd find in Italy—small, flavorful, and balanced. Expect things like Prosciutto e Melone (prosciutto and cantaloupe), Nicolino's Sandwich (mortadella, pistachio, and cheese - Telisa ordered one in Italy and her grandson "stole and ate the whole thing"), and Daniele's favorite: prosciutto, stracciatella, and olive oil, hot-pressed on focaccia.

Coffee will be Kimbo only. This is deliberate. Italy's top mass-market brand is readily available in U.S. grocery stores, so the Asaros chose Kimbo for its profile and exclusivity. Telisa says one of her favorite things about being in Italy is waking up to the smell of coffee. 

Classes That Connect

Originally, Ciao Bella was intended to be a retail-only space. But once word got out, people started asking about food and cooking. Now the market is hosting small, hands-on pasta classes led by Chef LeeAnn Evertsen, who trained in Italy. Sauce will be simmering while you mix, roll, cut, and learn why shapes matter. 

They designed the classes to spark conversation and connection over food as much as to teach technique. "If I had to choose one thing that I want to create there," Telisa says, "it's to connect to the community." More dates are planned, and an Italian 101 class for those planning a trip abroad might be on the table.

Authentic by Design

From the very beginning, authenticity has guided every detail. The Asaros wanted the entry to feel real, not new. Telisa found two 100-pound antique doors in a basement—different sizes, weathered, and beautiful. Esteban Morales with Wingate Construction Group made them fit, updating the hardware and ensuring it worked for a modern storefront. 

One more detail to spot: Vincenzo, a woven seagrass donkey with saddle bags that Telisa shipped from Italy. "It was a big deal at the post office when we had to ship this," she says.

The Asaros

Daniele was born in Milan to Sicilian parents, grew up in Sicily, and then moved back to Milan in middle school. He came to Georgia in 2000 to install and train workers for a factory's Macon branch and stayed. He and Telisa also own Float Robins, a float therapy center and spa in Warner Robins.

"Ask me about Italy," Daniele says. "I'm Sicilian. I'm going to tell you Sicily is best." He's also clear about the food: Italian-American cuisine and Italian cuisine are not the same. Sandwiches aren't stacked high. Their market is inspired by Italy, not the American version of Italy.

A Place to Belong

For the Asaros, Ciao Bella is about more than the market. "We're trying to create a space where people feel like they belong," Telisa says. "In Perry, people walk downtown, there are great events, and the city does a good job of creating spaces." It reminds them of the walkable Italian towns they love—where daily life happens in the piazza, and everyone greets each other by name.

Opening Plans and How to Follow

• Target opening: November 15, 2025

• Address: 1009 Northside Drive, Perry, GA

• Updates: very active on social

  • Facebook: Ciao Bella Market

  • Instagram: @ciaobellamarketga

  • Website: ciaobellamarketga.com (Join their email list. It's the best source for class drops and opening details)

    
    

"We're doing true Italy," Telisa says, "and we hope people will love it."