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Photographed by Meredith Hattam.

Lorenzo: Manager and Poet



Lives in: Clinton Hill

Works in: Fort Greene



"I left [New York] in 1990 to go back to Sicily. But, about four years ago, Italy changed. The money used to be bigger. Now, it's not good like it used to be. Taxes go up, the economy's smaller… so I closed up the restaurant I owned and came over here. It used to be a million-dollar restaurant. It was called Loren's. The good thing is that about five to six months ago, my son reopened it and took it over; changed the name. They cater to powerful people, like Roberto Cavalli. It's a fancy restaurant, not like a pizza place. Still got pizza, though.



"My life in Italy wasn't like this. My life in Italy was beautiful, like a big shot. Over here, what do I do? I don't want to sell my property, but I think I can make some cash here. That's what it's all about. Over here, I have no family. Everyone's over there in Italy. What are they gonna do over here? They're gonna come and stay with me? Oh, shit. No. That's crazy. They're okay over there. Like I said, my son has my restaurant, he does good, it's okay. I sacrifice all of myself for that son."