The family behind Joseph’s Classic Market is bringing a new Italian-inspired restaurant to West Palm Beach — but this one is designed to stand entirely on its own.
Parma Palm Beach is expected to open this fall at 7170 S. Dixie Highway in the city’s SoSo neighborhood. The all-day café is being led by Joseph J. Acierno, 33, the eldest son of Joseph’s Classic Market founder Joseph Acierno.
After spending 15 years learning nearly every side of the family business, Acierno is stepping out with a concept centered on what he calls “simple food made better.”
“You don’t need to pile on ingredients to make something taste incredible,” Acierno said. “You need the best ingredients and the discipline to leave them alone.”
The concise menu will feature sandwiches, chopped chicken wraps, salads, smoothies, pastries and coffee. Focaccia will be made in-house, while Bread by Johnny will supply sourdough hoagies. Lingonberry Café will provide pastries and select breads, and Floridian Coffee Roasters is developing an Italian-style roast for the café.
Imported Italian products will share the spotlight with South Florida ingredients, creating what Acierno described as a meeting point between Parma, Italy, and Palm Beach.
Though members of the Acierno family are involved, Parma will not be a smaller version of Joseph’s Classic Market. It will have its own branding, menu and atmosphere, including an upscale dining room and a walk-up window for takeout and delivery orders.
The freestanding restaurant sits near South Olive Elementary School and the South Olive tennis courts, across from Don Ramon.
Acierno said the location appealed to him because it sits away from the downtown bustle and closer to the people he hopes will become regulars.
“It’s not downtown,” he said. “It’s where the locals are.”
For Acierno, Parma represents more than another family business.
“I’m 33 years old,” he said. “I want to put another piece to the puzzle and my family’s legacy.”
