Saratoga Business Journal
By Rod Bacon
“Three generations of flavor, tradition, and heart.”
For Marisa Parillo Rahman, this tagline encapsulates everything she loves about the family-owned Saratoga Springs company she has been running since November 2024, after her father, Marc Parillo, died.
When Rahman assumed leadership of the business, she had plans to significantly expand its market and upgrade its facility to meet U.S. Department of Agriculture standards.
“We’re one hundred percent at code with the city, state, and federal government,” she said. “The equipment required to make the sausage has been upgraded and we’re in the process of making improvements to the building.”
Latham Roofing & Siding installed a new roof, the bathroom and office have been renovated, new appliances have been purchased, electrical service has been upgraded, and some interior painting has been done. Future plans call for the repair of a large walk-in freezer that will allow for the storage of large quantities of product.
Ernie LaBounty, a longtime employee of Marc Parillo’s, has been named manager to oversee day-to-day operations. He is responsible for all aspects of making the sausage, as well as running the pop-up grills held in the company’s parking lot each Friday and Saturday through the summer. He also greets walk-in customers when Rahman is not available.
The business is cyclical, with high points occurring during the summer, as well as around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“Our business picked up exponentially in May so I will probably be bringing in some part-time employees over the summer,” she said.
A priority for Rahman is to expand the company’s market beyond the 40-mile delivery radius it has offered for years. The company currently has 60 customers, including nine Hannaford supermarkets, Country Corner, Pope’s Pizza, Scottie’s Restaurant, Pizza Time, Hattie’s Restaurants and numerous diners in Warren County.
She has purchased a refrigerated van that will allow deliveries within a 100-mile radius. Two part-time drivers make runs twice a week.
While contracts are not yet signed, she is working with two large concessionaires who will sell Parillo’s products in their booths. A considerable amount would be required from June through September.
The next phase for Rahman is to market Parillo’s products nationwide and into Canada. Should this occur, she would probably contract with a distributor such as US Foods, Sysco or Driscoll Foods.
On May 22, Parillo’s Sausage celebrated 75 years of providing high-quality products sourced from recipes passed down through several generations. The milestone was marked with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
The event was attended by more than 50 people, including chamber President Todd Shimkus, Saratoga Economic Development Corp. President and CEO Greg Connors, and Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford.
“The community support is what keeps me going,” said Rahman. “By ‘community’ of course I mean the customers, but more than that are leaders like Greg, Mayor Safford, and people in city government. Both the mayor and Matthew Stawarz, the assistant city clerk, called me personally and provided assistance when I needed it.
Parillo’s Sausage offers shippable seasoning packs, as well as link and bulk products for pickup.
The company is located at 90 Washington St. in Saratoga Springs. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Its Pop-Up Grill, serving Sausage Sammies and Grillers, is open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the summer.
For more information, go to parillosausage.com.