Chestnut Market now on Route 22

WASSAIC — For 20 years, the former Cousin’s Mini Market operated as a family affair out of 3997 Route 22 in Wassaic under the loving care of owners Tony “Pepperoni” Robustelli and his wife, Vicky. 

Though Cousin’s Mini Market has not been owned or operated by the pair for a number of years (its well-known name has remained on the business sign under new ownership during the past few business operations that have opened up in that location), the Robustellis have remained involved as the property owners. They’ve been leasing the building to people trying to make a go of the gas station and mini market, and are pleased to now see that it is once again family-oriented business, with the nearing of the one-year mark of the Jamal family’s Chestnut Market operating out of the space.

The Robustelli’s history

Since his first store opened in Amenia in 1977, Tony Robustelli’s business has gone by many names and moved through many locations in northeastern Dutchess County. Before Four Brothers came to town, Cousin’s Pizzeria, Robustelli’s first business, was the town’s first pizzeria. It was after that opened that Robustelli said he took a real interest in the community — he’s been active ever since, serving on the Amenia Planning Board and on the Dutchess County Department of Planning and Development Wastewater Committee as well as on the town’s Wastewater Committee and Master Plan Committee.

Robustelli later moved his business to Dover Plains, known as Cousin’s Pizza, then to Millerton, where he opened a restaurant version of his business before setting up Cousin’s Mini Market in Wassaic, in 1988. He also opened Cousin’s Cafe in Wingdale; the cafe is still up and running to this day.

Operating off of Route 22 for 20 years, Robustelli said his business had a lot of help from the Wassaic Developmental Disabilities Services Offices (DDSO) center and the local hospital before both organizations closed their doors. From there, he said they tried to develop more of a transit trade and to become a destination; it was around that point that the Harlem Valley Rail Trail came to town. 

As business took off in Wassaic, Cousin’s Mini Market began serving bakery items as well as pizza and ice cream; at one point, the business even had mini golf and batting cages. 

Soon, Robustelli established a customer base, mentored many “first-time jobbers” and had a thriving business with help from various family member, including Vicky and their children, his brother, Gino, his cousin, Frankie, and his nieces and nephews. Robustelli said his children learned a lot on the job.

“They really got educated with work ethic, savings, being on time, talking to different kinds of people, talking to different kinds of employees, workers,” Robustelli said. “You learn a lot from that kind of retail. You know, retail is details so you really have to be on it.”

The story behind Chestnut Market

Meanwhile, the Jamal family started their family-owned and operated company, Chestnut Market, in 1989. Based out of New Paltz, the company is owned by Jamal brothers: Sal, Mickey, Sam and Cal, and is now one of the largest convenience store chains in the Hudson Valley. The second generation of Jamal family members began working in the company 15 years ago, including Sal’s sons Faheem, Farris and Naseem Jamal and their cousins AJ and Sharif Jamal.

Among the company’s priorities, Faheem Jamal said Chestnut Market values customer service over everything. Additionally, he said they are known for their cleanliness and their ability to get the products their communities want. Now operating convenience stores in Patterson and Hyde Park and six locations in Poughkeepsie, as well as Danbury and Bethel, Conn.,  Chestnut Market is currently in the process of rebranding its stores from regular Mobil and Shell markets to a unified brand as Chestnut Market. 

It officially began operating out of the former Cousin’s Mini Market space at the end of 2019.

“We are very exited to be working with the Robustelli family and expand our footprint not only in Wassaic but also in the Hudson Valley,” Jamal said. “We’re thrilled to take over somewhat of a legacy store from Tony and his family and we’re hoping to continue the food service operation that he’s built up over the years.”

Jamal said his father personally became good friends with Tony, who he said trusts their family with the name and location.

“These guys are good stewards,” Robustelli said. “They have almost 400 Mobils and they’re family-oriented too. That’s nice… even though they’re a big corporation, they’re a small family.”

Priding themselves on customer service, Jamal said Chestnut Market cares about its customers and staff. Whenever they go into a community to operate a store, he said they hire staff locally as they want to be known as a local, family-owned business and have people to interact with the locals. Chestnut Market also takes pride in its community outreach and its work in organizing community educational support programs. 

Each year, the company organizes fundraisers for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, including a Pumpkin Pin-Up in October and an annual fishing tournament in June. Jamal remarked that this year’s Pumpkin Pin-Up raised nearly $100,000.