In 1999, a young Gino Marghella was just weeks into his first job at the Italian Centre Shop when a defining leadership moment shaped the trajectory of his career.
“We were working at night and had this big restaurant order come in,” recalls Marghella, who was recently named the company’s Chief Operating Officer. “Teresa (Spinelli, owner of the Italian Centre Shop) came downstairs and said, ‘Hey, we gotta pick this restaurant order.’ I said, ‘Hey, just give it to me. Let me have the opportunity to go around and see if I can do it.’”
He completed the task—perhaps with a few small mistakes—but what stuck with him was what happened next.
“She told me great job, but then she went to my mom and dad (and told them the same thing). I remember that moment and how she made me feel, because she went to my parents and said that. I said to myself that’s the kind of person I want to be. 1999. That’s how my leadership skills got developed. It was about that connection because as leaders, it’s how people remember how you make them feel. That was the moment. That’s the type of leader I want to be.”
From the Deli to the C-Suite
Born and raised in Edmonton, Marghella’s journey began when his mother immigrated to Canada in 1972, followed by his father in 1981. Gino was born in 1982. By the time he turned 17, his grandfather encouraged him to get a job. That led to a pivotal visit to the Italian Centre Shop in Edmonton’s Little Italy.
“I had just finished high school. My grandfather said, ‘Hey, it’s time to get a job,’ so he brought me to meet Mr. Spinelli,” said Marghella. “I handed in my resume and basically got to meet him, and he said to me, ‘My daughter Teresa is in charge of hiring and she’ll call you within a few days.’”
That call came, and on June 26, 1999, Marghella started his first shift behind the deli counter.
“That day, pasta was on sale for 49 cents. The deli was so busy, and just to be back there, to see all the customers, to learn about new products, and to meet Teresa. I just fell in love with the deli,” he said.
A Career Built Within One Company
In the years since, Marghella has worked in nearly every role within the company.
“I think I’ve done almost everything from the deli to working in the warehouse, driving trucks, forklift, working in different areas,” he said. “From being a deli manager to a store manager, opening different stores, coming to Calgary, and now COO. I’ve never had another job, to be honest with you.
“One of my proudest moments is I got a chance to really grow within the company from the bottom up and to experience all those different jobs.”
That broad experience is something Teresa Spinelli says made him a natural leader within the organization.
“Gino’s a really amazing human. He’s really good with people and connects well with them,” she said. “People love Gino and they really want to work hard for him. He’s a great team builder, very friendly, doesn’t have an ego and that’s very rare. It’s so rare to find someone that has so many wonderful qualities.”
And it was her father, founder Frank Spinelli, who first saw something special in Gino.
“My dad said, ‘You hire that guy.’ And I said, ‘Let me talk to him.’ My dad said, ‘Nope, you hire him. He’s good. I can tell you right now,’” she recalled. “He had a good eye for people.
“It’s really important to hire people who have great attitudes because if you have a good attitude, you’re willing to learn, we can teach you anything and that was Gino very much.”
New Role Reflects Longstanding Leadership
While Marghella was recently named Chief Operating Officer, the title is simply catching up with what he’s already been doing.
“Gino as General Manager—that was a new role for us and we picked that title because we didn’t know what else to call it,” said Spinelli. “Really, he’s been doing the COO role for a long time. His job was to go to Calgary, open that store—which he did an amazing job at—create a team, and support them. We’re just elevating the role now.”
Marghella supports store managers across locations.
“It’s really about working with all the store managers and supporting them,” he said.
Staying in Calgary, Expanding Across Alberta
Marghella will remain in Calgary.
The Calgary store opened in July 2015. The team is currently preparing to open a second Calgary store in the Spring 2026, and even more expansion is on the horizon.
“We think if Edmonton can do three stores, Calgary can too,” said Spinelli. “We’re really excited about that.”
She’s also eyeing Saskatoon.
“I think of Saskatoon as Edmonton was 20 years ago. It’s growing. Very foody community. I get lots of requests—I had emails for Grand Prairie. Kelowna too, but more from Grand Prairie.”
Spinelli said the growth is being driven by customers who’ve experienced the Italian Centre Shop and want one in their own city.
“Italian Centre Shop exists to create community and share our culture through cultural experiences and food. Yes, we sell pasta and olive oil—but that’s just a side thing. It really does create community, and Gino is really great at that.”
A Vision for the Future
For Marghella, expansion is about more than retail footprint—it’s about people.
“With these opportunities to open new stores, our team members get to grow,” he said. “That’s really exciting. And it’s important to pass on the history of the Italian Centre Shop—what Mr. Spinelli started, where Teresa has taken it—and hopefully one day pass it to a young guy who can take it to a different country.”
With over 700 employees, the company continues to offer team members career growth in a family-driven, people-first environment.
“We’re very blessed to have the team that we have,” said Marghella. “I really appreciate being in this role and being able to support them.”
Related Retail Insider stories:
Anatomy of a Leader: Teresa Spinelli, Owner of Alberta-Based Italian Centre Shop Ltd.
