Alex Donley

Gioia’s Deli is owned and operated by Alex and Amanda Donley (husband and wife). In 1918, Charlie Gioia opened Gioia’s Deli at the corner of Macklind and Daggett on “The Hill.” The Donley family purchased Gioia’s from the Gioia family in 1980, and Alex and Amanda Donley officially took over the business's ownership and operation from Alex’s mom and grandma in 2015. Alex grew up in the business and has been working at Gioia’s since he could see over the counter – after graduating from the University of Missouri in 2008, he came home and started operating the deli. For Alex, embracing technology has been a key part in bringing the 105-year-old business to a new level and putting it on the map nationally. In 2014, Amanda quit her job as a government attorney and joined Alex in the deli business. At that time, they started a food truck and then quickly realized through technology and marketing efforts that they had a product and brand that they could expand. Since that time, Alex and Amanda have opened up five other Gioia’s locations in the St. Louis area and have plans for more locations in 2026. In 2017, Gioia’s Deli won James Beard's American Classic Award, and Alex and Amanda carry on the Gioia's Deli tradition by serving St. Louis neighborhoods the best delicatessen fare the city has to offer.