Yorktown teen takes lead at Rita’s

At just 18-years-old, Joseph Bravo is making a name for himself as one of the town’s youngest entrepreneurs.

A senior at Yorktown High School, Bravo grew up in a lively, food-filled household shaped by his Italian and Cuban roots. The youngest of three siblings, he cherishes the time spent with family.

Today, he credits his tight-knit family as his biggest inspiration and support system. “My family inspires me to push myself to do better, they are a huge support system for me,” he told Yorktown News. “They remind me that there are solutions to all issues no matter their size.”

Bravo started working at Rita’s of Yorktown, the Italian ice and frozen custard chain located on Commerce Street, because his older brother had worked there back when he was in high school. “Another one of my older friends who still worked there got me into Rita’s,” he recalled.

In a Facebook post celebrating the grand opening of Rita’s and introducing Bravo as its new owner in March, Councilman Sergio Esposito praised Bravo as one of Yorktown’s youngest entrepreneurs. He described the local Rita’s as “a great staple” of the community and said it is “in good hands” under Bravo’s leadership.

“Hearing that honestly feels amazing because it is really a great achievement to be very proud of,” Bravo said.

For as long as he can remember, Bravo has wanted to be an entrepreneur. And making that dream his reality as a teenager, is something that Bravo said, “makes me feel very proud.”

Bravo credits his family, especially his parents, for their unwavering support.

In a conversation with Yorktown News, Bravo emphasized his gratitude, thanking “everyone that supported me along the way like my family, a few close friends, and Yorktown as a town—it’s such an amazing community to be a part of and grow up in.”

Bravo’s mother, Serafina, said she is incredibly proud. As the youngest of her three children, Bravo has always been encouraged by both her and his father to follow a mindset of “never giving up” and “dreaming big.”

“I look forward to him scooping and shining through life,” she said.

As for what’s next, Bravo plans to pursue a career in HVAC and plumbing while continuing to manage Rita’s. He said he hopes to start that adventure after this first Rita’s season.