The Capozzoli Catering Pandemic Timeline
January – Early March 2020
A Normal Start
2020 began like any other year at Capozzoli Catering. The early months are typically slower in the catering industry, giving our team time to recharge and prepare for the busy event season ahead.
While news reports mentioned a virus spreading overseas, we never imagined how dramatically our lives—and our business—were about to change.
March 16, 2020
Events Come to a Halt
On March 16, 2020, everything changed.
We were forced to shut down all catering operations and cancel every scheduled event for the next two weeks. At the time, we believed it would be temporary.
Those two weeks eventually turned into more than two years of uncertainty for the hospitality industry.
Late March 2020
A Family Crisis
Within the first week of the shutdown, Michael Capozzoli Sr. became seriously ill with flu-like symptoms.
After trying to recover at home for nearly a week, he was tested for COVID-19 and taken to Taylor Hospital’s Emergency Room.
Due to pandemic restrictions, family members were not allowed inside. Two days later we received confirmation that he had COVID-19 and were faced with a terrifying decision—to approve a ventilator to help him breathe.
At the same time, his wife Eileen also contracted COVID. Thankfully, her symptoms remained mild and did not require hospitalization.
April 2020
Fighting for His Life
Doctors at Taylor Hospital used every treatment available—including experimental medications—to try to save Mike’s life during those early days of the pandemic.
When his condition did not improve, he was transferred to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
There, an incredible team of doctors and nurses—led by someone we lovingly call our angel, “Nurse Michelle”—worked tirelessly to help him recover.
After fifteen agonizing days, Mike was finally taken off the ventilator.
May 2020
The Long Road Back
Coming off the ventilator was only the beginning.
Mike had to rebuild his physical strength and cognitive abilities after weeks of critical illness. He was transferred to Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, where a team of doctors, nurses, and therapists helped guide him through the final stages of recovery.
Throughout this journey, he had an army of family and friends supporting him.
June 3, 2020
A Homecoming
After seventy long days in hospitals and rehabilitation, Mike was finally able to return home.
As one of the earliest known COVID cases in Delaware County, we feel incredibly blessed that he was able to recover.
Many families were not as fortunate, and we continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Saving an 85-Year-Old Family Business
While Mike was fighting to recover, the Capozzoli family was also fighting to keep our catering business alive.
With events canceled and ballrooms empty, we were forced to temporarily lay off our staff. Michael Jr., Chris, and Anthony had to find a way forward.
Like many restaurants and caterers across the country, we began offering take-out meals.
2020–2021
The “Grab & Go” Meals
Thanks to the incredible support of our Ridley community and surrounding neighborhoods, our Grab & Go meals quickly took off.
We began offering meals twice during the week along with a large Sunday Dinner option.
As demand grew, we were able to bring many of our employees back to work and continue serving our community during an incredibly difficult time.
Even while restrictions limited gatherings to 20 people or fewer, we kept moving forward.
2022–2023
A Slow Return to Celebrations
As restrictions eased and communities adapted, events slowly began to return.
After navigating multiple waves and variants, weddings, parties, and celebrations gradually came back to our ballrooms.
Step by step, we found our way back.
Today: A Third-Generation Family Business
Today, Capozzoli Catering continues to operate as a proud third-generation family business.
The world has changed—food costs, fuel prices, and staffing challenges remain difficult for our industry—but our commitment to our customers and community has never wavered.
Many restaurants and caterers were forced to close their doors during the pandemic. We are incredibly grateful and fortunate to still be here.
A Message From Our Family
“The pandemic tested our family and our business in ways we never imagined. But the support of our community, our customers, and our staff carried us through. We will never forget that.”
— The Capozzoli Family
Thank You
To our loyal customers, friends, and supporters:
Thank you for standing by us.
Your support helped keep our family business alive.