In 1977 Marti Zucco a young enterprising Melbourne restaurateur opened the first Marti Zucco restaurant in the main North Hobart strip which has now further expanding beyond the Burnett Street border. North Hobart was once the forgotten suburb and has developed into a major restaurant strip and the place to live.
Marti Zucco said he remembers quite distinctively a discussion he had with George and Ann Haddad who were customers in the early 80’s about their intentions to open a Lebanese restaurant in North Hobart. Marti recalls that there were many empty shops and he suggested they open over the road, which they did and opened the Ali Akbar, this followed with Amigos, Stuart Prosser in the Fish cafe, and others after that.
Marti Zucco Said that “North Hobart reminded me of Smith Street in Melbourne but not knowing the area I opened and I near went broke in the first year. I recall being told that I was crazy to open in North Hobart, I would say at that time with some 6 empty shops, and struggling I felt that the comments made were correct, but my persistent nature was the driving force to succeed”
He also said “Marti Zucco’s pizza finally turned the corner by opening till 6am to cater for the Casino Staff and a lot of late night hoteliers which led to the transformation and success. I recall many times finishing work at 8am after starting at 3pm the morning prior”
Marti was also involved in various other ventures in his time but Marti Zuccos which was the catalyst for the North Hobart restaurant strip. Segreto which has been his most recent passion and as the Mercury food reporter Graham Phillips has stated in his overview:
“In effect Segreto is Marti having fun…. Or if he’ll forgive me… it’s Marti Zucco deciding there is more to Italian food than pizza and pasta after many years in the game having the courage to do something different and whilst being authentically Italian on a plate”
THA President Paul Jubb said “Marti has always supported charitable organisations and with his mates the Boyz has raised thousands for charity and has been a very vocal supporter of the Hospitality industry and will be sadly missed”
Mr Jubb further added “Segreto is known by many to be Marti’s “passion restaurant” to make the difficult decision to sell and concentrate on pursing a political role for Tasmania is commendable. Marti has also displayed his commitment with his 21 years serving as a Hobart City Council Alderman and now he yet again has shown how devoted he is to Tasmania and his Country”
With over 35 years being involved in the North Hobart restaurant strip Marti is now making a life changing decision.
Marti Zucco Sadly announced that “I have sold my award winning restaurant in Segreto Trattoria to the new owners of Marti Zucco restaurant who purchased it just over 12 months ago and have now purchased Segreto. It’s like the new generation is taking over from the old guard.”
Long time customers, friends and fellow restaurateurs Garry Baker and Sue Catchpole commented that “Marti has been a rare true restaurateur that will be sadly missed; he still knows how to make a mean pizza and a he is great unique bloke”
In conclusion Marti Zucco said I do feel very sad but it is an impossible task to do both and the time has come to make a decision. I am going to so miss my dedicated staff and the amazing loyal customers in which so many are now my friends. I am have been serving so many customers for such a long time that to the point that it’s like the Great Grandchildren of some of my long term customers are like my family. They will all be sadly missed”.
• Marti: A very brief background
• Prior to moving to Tasmania- Ownership of two restaurants in Melbourne and also worked with family run operations.
• 1977 started first Tasmanian business in North Hobart
• 1982 Moved Marti Zucco Restaurant to current site
• 1992 Built current site where Segreto is located
o Elected Alderman Hobart City Council – Due to issues surrounding building
Longest serving Hobart Alderman 21 years plus
• 1984 to 1994 other Ventures
o Peppies Pizza/Pasta Sandy bay
o Marti Zucco Pizza Kingston
o Marti Zucco Video
Bellerive
Kingston
North Hobart
o Marti Zucco Clothing
CBD
Kingston
Launceston
o Contutto Deli Cafe – North Hobart
o Wellingtons – North Hobart
o Pirates Catch – North Hobart
• 2005 – Opened Segreto Cafe Trattoria North Hobart
2010 – THA Premiers award of excellence for contribution to community
2012 – THA Award winning Best Italian
Marti’s biggest impact was opening Marti Zuccos in 1977 when North Hobart was the forgotten suburb, North Hobart reminded him of Smith Street in Melbourne but not knowing the area near Martis Pizza nearly went broke in the first year.
Marti finally turned the establishment around by opening till 6am to cater for the Casino Staff which led to his success.
Marti also was involved in various other ventures in his time as a restaurateur but Marti Zuccos was the catalyst for the North Hobart restaurant strip and Segreto which has been his most recent passion and as the Mercury food reporter Graham Phillips has stated in his overview
“In effect Segreto is Marti having fun…. Or if he’ll forgive me… its Marti Zucco deciding there is more to Italian food than pizza and pasta after many years in the game having the courage to do something different and authentically Italian on a plate”
Marti has always supported charitable organisations and with his mates the Boyz has raised thousands for charity
Tasmanian Candidate sells business interests to focus on campaign
Palmer United Party candidate for Franklin, Marti Zucco, has announced the sale of his award winning restaurant in the major restaurant hub of North Hobart.
Mr Zucco, a restaurateur and long serving Alderman on the Hobart City Council, said he has sold the restaurant to concentrate full time on the political domain and his candidacy for Franklin for the Palmer United Party.
“I am 100 per cent committed to the residents of Franklin and Australia and I want to be able to represent my community without any business commitments or distractions getting in the way,” he said.
Federal leader of the Palmer United Party, Clive Palmer, has labelled Mr Zucco a local hero for his commitment to the community.
“This is what the Palmer United Party is about, it’s about everyday Australian’s who are fair-dinkum and passionate about ensuring Australia’s future is in capable hands,” Mr Palmer said.
“Australians are fed up with the duopoly in Canberra and the Palmer United Party offers Australians the opportunity to have a real say by electing candidates such as Mr Zucco, who are concerned about the future of our great nation.
“Mr Zucco is not only well-known within his electorate of Franklin but has already achieved many feats for the region through his position on the Hobart City Council and I am proud to have endorsed him as a Palmer United Party candidate.”
bazzabee
August 7, 2013 at 20:58
Since when did hagiography have a place here at TT?
Mr Palmer may well say that Mr Zucco is “a local hero” it is a statement that not everyone will be in full agreement with. Some of us have long memories and well recall Mr Zucco’s many incarnations. And while I won’t be the one to open the door fully on Mr Zucco’s what at times might be described as a colorful maybe even a chequred past.
It would, I suggest, be a worthwhile exercise for anyone intending to vote for Mr Zucco to do their own research and not blindly accept what Mr Zucco has to say about himself even if it is backed by the equally colourful figure of Clive Palmer.
In this as in every election it is wise to think very carefully before voting.
Justa Bloke
August 7, 2013 at 21:41
Is this a case of “While you’re down there, vote for me”?
Sarah Taylor
August 7, 2013 at 22:17
Chequered past alright! …
A.K.
August 8, 2013 at 11:07
Being in the hospitality industry, had dealings with Mr Zucco and still do on a minor scale, not a chance in hell he would get my vote.
Palmer United member
August 8, 2013 at 17:57
Would just like to thanks to Marti for his dedication in standing for Palmer United as the federal candidate for Franklin. If readers knew what internal party plans are for the party over the next twelve months, they’d definitely preference Palmer United candidates above the Tas Libs. And that #1, #2, #3 #4 is all that you need to do.
Robin Halton
August 9, 2013 at 02:34
An unusual step in life Marti, well best of luck, what else can I say?
Philip Lowe
August 9, 2013 at 05:43
Had dealings with Alderman Zucco at the Town Hall once upon a time.Not a good memory.
bazzabee
August 9, 2013 at 19:59
#5 “If readers knew what internal party plans are for the party over the next twelve months, they’d definitely preference Palmer United candidates”.
Forgive me but did I miss something isn’t it the responsibility of the Palmer Party to tell voters what their plans are? Or are we all supposed to be political clairvoyants and simply guess?
I will hazard a guess at is that the Palmer Party doesn’t support and that is any tax past present or future that requires Mr Palmer to pay a red cent more than he personally believes is necessary.
Wow this is great, I’ve even had a second thought, who knows this clairvoyance shit really does work. Here goes with my second guess, Big Clive also believes that it is better to employ Chinese shipyard workers on low wages, without holiday pay, superannuation, sick pay, overtime and no adherence to Australian standards of OH&S than Australian workers on projects that will make him even richer?
So Mr Palmer Party member how am I doing?
I have even had another idea maybe Marty Z will join this string after he began it so come on Marty enlighten us on your leaders industrial relations policy? Marty why not have a go at comparing and contrasting Palmer’s IR policy with Big Clive’s shipping building project in China and his use of cheap,unsafe overseas labour? Or would that be asking too much?
I promise you #5 I haven’t decided who I will preference so it would be worthwhile trying to tell me why I should do as you say.