Long before Coco’s Italian Market became a Nashville staple, its story began with a simple truth: great food has a way of bringing people together. For owner Chuck Cinelli, that idea has shaped every chapter of his career — from opening the iconic late-night Café Coco to building the warm, bustling Italian market and eatery that thousands of Nashvillians know today.
Chuck’s journey through the city’s restaurant and music scene taught him what makes a space unforgettable. Café Coco became a beloved landmark, the kind of place where musicians, artists, students, and night owls found community. But as much as he loved the energy of that world, Chuck felt the pull of something even closer to his heart: his Italian roots, the food he grew up with, and the special kind of hospitality that makes every meal feel like a family gathering.…