From Food to Family, North Olmsted Graduates the Isabella Sisters Have the Recipe!

One day when someone takes note of the most successful people to ever graduate from North Olmsted High School, graduates Maria and Christina Isabella will be at the top of the list. The sisters Isabella are currently living the American dream as they own and operate companies’ side by side in Fairview.  Maria runs Reillys Irish Bakery at 22570 Lorain Road, Fairview Park with her co-owners her mother, and husband Matthew Milliman.

While right next door at 22560 Lorain Rd is sister Christina at the helm of the best Italian Food Shop you will find, Mangia Bella Italian Goods.  You can visit both in under ten minutes and walk away with your appetite fulfilled for days to come. When it comes to Mangia Bella Italian Goods, they have you covered. From vintage homemade pasta to meatball subs the size of your head, you will be in a food lovers paradise. You’ve tried the rest, now have the best as you will be hooked after one bite!

Maria graduated North Olmsted High School in 02, and after spending years in the bartending industry and cosmetology industry, she found her true calling when she went to work with her mother at Reilly’s.  Joining her was her husband Matt who she met in 2014 and married in 2018.  It is a family run business that will leave customers with happy hearts, and full stomachs!

“Mom took over in 08, and we started baking our own stuff in 2010.  Mom took over the stand and followed her vision and I felt confident to join her.  We opened up the full retail side of things in here in Fairview in 2017”, said Maria.

She went on to say, “My inspiration to work with Mom and go full tilt as a family unit as my sister was a part of this too.  We worked together and created the recipes and I realized how amazing it was running your own shop.  I came to love it, feeding people and sending them home happy.  It felt amazing realizing what we can do as a family.”

In today’s day and age, we all crave that personal touch, and you have noticed over the years that “ mom and pop” shops tend to do better and last longer than the big box stores and commercial brands because people want that unique, stand-alone flavor and feel.  I know firsthand that when you walk into Reillys or Mangia, you are going to get that special feel right away.

Maria explained what sets the shops apart from the big box locations, “We make friends with our regulars and provide great service.  We make everything from scratch so they are going to get that homemade goodness and flavor.  We use real butter, and real ingredients which sets the taste apart.  It’s real food and plenty of happiness when you come in. “

Perhaps one of the best things that sets this business apart from the rest and gives everyone an extra reason to stop in, is the simple fact they are both living the dream as female business owns, sisters, just 3 feet apart. Maria touched on what makes that so special, “I’m here living the dream with family, my sister is right next to me, and my husband is here every day as well, it is incredible!  Matt is so good at what he does, he is amazing with his recipes and the time he puts into the food.  We all have something special we can offer.

Life it too short not to be happy, and I can do that now with family by me every single day.  It is my favorite part having them around me.  To be with the people I love the most, it is okay. “

At Reillys Irish Bakery, they offer a wide array of pastries, savory pies, and sweet treats. Come visit them at the West Side Market or at their bakery location at 22560 Lorain Road in Fairview Park.

Don’t just take my word for it, listen to what people have been saying about Reillys Irish Bakery.

They have the best bakery and food. You can never go wrong with the shortbread or the pasties!! This is a must if you haven’t tried it yet. The employees are the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Support your local small business! – Nicole Schaser

Reilly’s Irish Bakery is my go to place! There is truly something for everyone. From their sweet and gooey cinnamon buns to their salty and savory pasties (my ultimate favorite is corned beef). The owners are the sweetest and care about the community!  – Kayley McGinty

While Maria has the Irish comfort food and bakery side covered, sister Christina McCrae has the menu of the food Gods covered, and when I say that, I can only mean authentic Italian food. Perhaps the greatest food on planet earth, if it has sauce on it, and you can scoop it on a plate, Christina and her smiling staff are ready to put in your belly and send you home happy!

Christina, a 2008 North Olmsted Graduate, attended BGSU out of high school, where she earned degrees in psychology and business.  After spending years working with her mother and sister, she decided to open up her own business one day.  She had been working at the West Market with them and also Christophers bakery since she was 14.  She had the work ethic, heart and business sense to dream big one and felt a calling to do so after running multiple stands at once.

“I bought Christophers in 2018, and then Covid hit a few years into it.  I was actually working for both stands at the time and my husband was supportive of me.  My sister, mom and brother-in-law were working so hard, but they supported my decision to expand and take over the stand at Christophers and make it my own with Mangia Bella. I took the leap for a second stand, and started working from home with that, and then ended up right next door to my sister and Mother.”

The brick-and-mortar location that you see on Lorain Rd in Fairview at 22560 Lorain Rd became a reality in February of 2021 on the cooking end, but the retail side opened in early March 2023.  And let me tell you what folks, 1.5 seconds after opening the door to Mangia Bella, YOU WILL BE HOOKED!  If there is such a thing as “sensory nirvana”, this is it!

“I love it, there is a part of me that misses working with my mother and sister, but they are right next door and I truly feel like we are doing it together still. I feel like we are working together to build each other up, and still together no matter what as family. “ said Christina.

She went on to say, “I hope it is a great experience for every customer that walks through the door.  We focus on all homemade Italian Foods, fresh made in house, starting with the dough.  It is very much family run and customers can tell the difference. We like the customers to feel welcome and we want them to enjoy things with all the love we put into the product.  It truly is a labor of love. ” 

To find out more about Mangia Bella Italian Foods click here – https://www.facebook.com/mangiabellaitaliangoods

To find out more about Reillys Irish Bakery click here – https://www.reillysirishbakery.com/

Now, that you have read the words, it is time for the best part of this article, THE PICTURES!!! ( next page )

Turn to page two and take a look at some of the most delicious food you will ever eat!  Just try not to drool that much on your tablet, phone or streaming device.  Enjoy!