Hempfield high school sweethearts Halie Altman and Cole Rendulic have always wanted to open a business together.
When the owner of Angelo’s Cucina and Catering in Hempfield stepped down, the couple of nearly a decade knew their opportunity had come.
Like Altman and Rendulic, Irwin resident Shakib Ahmady also is taking charge of a longtime Westmoreland business — transforming Lumpy’s Country Deli and Bake Shop into a hot chicken restaurant, Nash Hot Chicken.
Angelo’s Cucina & Catering
After graduating from Hempfield Area High School in 2017, Altman and Rendulic attended the University of Pittsburgh. Altman earned a degree in biology, going on to work in a microbiology lab and RJ Lee Group.
Rendulic studied business before pursuing his true passion at a culinary institute in New York. He returned to his hometown after completing his education to shadow Angelo’s Cucina & Catering owner Deb Huey.
“I was here about four months, and she kind of jokingly said, ‘Would you ever want to buy the place?’ because she was talking about retirement,” said Rendulic, 25, of North Huntingdon. “That joke and conversation — one thing led to another, and now I own the place.”
Huey handed over the keys on Oct. 1, Rendulic said.
“We had previous catering listings that she had booked, so we rolled right into it,” he said. “We had catering our first day all the way through today, so it’s definitely been busy.”
Angelo’s started as a restaurant in North Huntingdon that Huey’s father operated for 60 years. Huey took the reins, later moving the business to Hempfield’s Grapeville neighborhood as a catering and take-out service.
Altman said Huey’s customers have welcomed the couple with open arms.
“She has such a good customer base already,” said Altman, 26, of Greensburg. “We’re keeping them. They’ve come in and met us, and we want to keep those people happy, but still then bring in a younger generation.”
The couple plans to lean more into the catering component of the business while maintaining Huey’s take-out menu.
Altman handles the behind-the-scenes work, making phone calls, placing orders and helping with catering jobs. Rendulic is the culinary mastermind, brainstorming new food items.
Angelo’s will serve a rotating menu of sandwiches inspired by dishes from cultures across the world, Rendulic said — including the Calabrian Cam. Named after Rendulic’s brother, the sandwich is a steak hoagie with chili pepper jelly, cabernet wine, fresh basil, oil, cracked pepper, salt and pecorino romano cheese.
“I have all sorts of things I’ve just cooked throughout my time,” he said. “I have a little recipe book.”
Five employees assist with daily operations, Altman said — including Huey, who still runs cooking classes for the business.
“Everybody loves having her here,” Rendulic said. “She still loves doing it.”
Running a business in their hometown has been a point of nostalgia for the couple.
“It’s crazy the people that have crawled out of the woodwork that I’m like ‘It’s been 10 years since I saw you in high school’ or even (former) teachers,” he said. “It’s nice to be in an area where we do know these people.”
Nash Hot Chicken
Drawing on 24 years of experience in fast food, Shakib Ahmady aims to launch Nash Hot Chicken with five restaurants in the region.
His mission will start Saturday with the grand opening of a Penn Township location, based out of Lumpy’s former home.
When the deli and bake shop went up for rent, Ahmady jumped at the opportunity. He started leasing the space in June.
Lumpy’s opened nearly 40 years ago. Penn Township residents Bob and Kellie Haldie took ownership in 2011.
The former owners initially planned to sell the space before deciding to rent it out, Ahmady said.
“I liked this location,” said Ahmady, 39.
He is negotiating four other locations across Westmoreland and Allegheny counties — including storefronts in Monroeville and Pittsburgh’s South Side.
Nash Hot Chicken will specialize in chicken sandwiches, tenders, fries and various flavors of wings, Ahmady said.
“The flavor profile is pretty unique,” he said. “These recipes are personally done by me and my brother.”
Ahmady and his brother — Nagib Ahmady, 45, of North Huntingdon — formerly owned several restaurants in Philadelphia, including a mom-and-pop cheesesteak restaurant, a pizza shop and a Popeye’s franchise.
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“Just like anybody else, I’m looking for that American dream,” said Shakib Ahmady. “I have the right experience to actually run it, because I have been running food businesses. I know the ins and outs of it.”
Nash Hot Chicken will give out free wings and tenders from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. during its Saturday grand opening. Regular restaurant hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week..