We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Mountain recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

Growing up in an Italian-American family, family wasn’t just important – it was everything. My parents, along with my grandparents, aunts, great-aunts, and uncles, created a world where food, tradition, and togetherness were at the center of our lives. My cousins weren’t just cousins; they were siblings. Holidays weren’t just gatherings; they were sacred. And meals weren’t just meals; they were moments – filled with laughter, storytelling, and love.
As a child, you don’t always recognize the depth of those experiences. You don’t necessarily appreciate the hours spent in the kitchen watching your grandmother make gnocchi or stuff artichokes or the way your parents insisted that Sundays were for family dinners. But as you grow up, you realize that those were the things that shaped you. They taught be about hard work, about showing love through food, and about the kind of warmth that turns a house into a home.
Pickles & Pancetta is an extension of that. Everything I do – from charcuterie boards to the selection of products in my store – is about recreating that feeling and sharing it with others. I want people to walk into my store or experience my food and feel that same sense of warmth and belonging that I was lucky enough to grow up with. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade that for the world. My grandparents, and my entire family, did so much right, but most of all, they made sure I knew that family and food bring people together in the most meaningful way. That’s the heart of everything I do today.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Pickles & Pancetta is an Italian market and charcuterie shop. I offer charcuterie boards, grazing tables, deli platters, caprese platters, and vegetable trays with my Grandma’s homemade ranch dip.
The values my family instilled in me are the foundation of everything I do at Pickles & Pancetta. Growing up in an Italian – American household, food wasn’t just nourishment – it was love, connection and tradition. I learned that the kitchen is where stories are shared, relationships are strengthened, and life’s most important moments unfold. That understanding shaped the way I approach my business.
When I created Pickles & Pancetta, my goal was never just to sell food. I wanted to create an experience – one that brings people together the way my family always did. Whether it’s a charcuterie board for a small occasion or a grazing table for a celebration, I want people to feel the same warmth, hospitality and joy that filled my childhood. I carefully select every product in my store with that in mind, sourcing the best imported Italian staples, artisan cheeses, and specialty meats to help others create their own meaningful food experiences.
But I also know that life is busy. Not everyone has the time to plan, prep, and assemble the perfect spread – but that shouldn’t mean they have to sacrifice quality or impact. That’s why I make it easy. I want my customers to be able to wow their guests effortlessly, to create a stunning and delicious experience without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether they’re hosting a dinner party, a holiday gathering, or just a casual get-together, I want them to be able to enjoy the food, their guests, and the moment – without having to do all the work.
Beyond that, my family’s work ethic and deep sense of pride in what they do have been a guiding force for me. I watched my family work hard, not just for themselves but for the people they cared about. That’s exactly how I run my business – I put my heart into every detail because I now that food is personal, and it has the power to create lasting memories.
I always had a dream of opening a little Italian market – one that felt like home, filled with the kind of foods and traditions I grew up with. I started Pickles & Pancetta as a hobby, creating beautiful boards and spreads for family and friends, bringing people together over incredible food. But as I kept doing it, I realized I had so much more to offer. I saw that I could bring this vision to life, creating a space where people could find the best Italian staples, artisan cheeses, and specialty meats, all while making entertaining easier and more enjoyable. More than just a business, it became a way to truly serve people – helping them create meaningful food experiences without the stress, just like my family always did.
What sets Pickles & Pancetta apart is the heart behind everything I do. It’s not just about assembling meats and cheeses – it’s about crafting an experience that feels personal, thoughtful, and elevated. My approach is rooted in tradition, but designed for modern entertaining, bringing people high-quality, carefully curated ingredients that feel both nostalgic and exciting. I take pride in sourcing the best products, many of which you won’t find anywhere else locally, and in creating displays that are visually stunning and full of warmth. More importantly, I bring a deep love for hospitality – making sure that every board, grazing table, and market item reflects the same love and attention to detail that I would put into a meal for my own family.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience has been at the heart of my journey with Pickles & Pancetta. When I first set out to open my shop, I had a vision in mind – a warm, welcoming space where people could find incredible ingredients, experience true hospitality, and bring a piece of Italian tradition into their own homes. But getting there was anything but easy.
Finding the right location was a long, exhausting process. I initially had my heart set on another location, but after a year of effort, it became clear that it wasn’t going to work out. That setback was devastating at the time, but I had to keep moving forward. Then, when I finally found the perfect spot, the challenges didn’t stop there. The construction process was filled with delays, unexpected obstacles, and moments where it felt like everything was working against me. Permits took longer than expected, the buildout faced setbacks, and I had to fight for it to come together.
But I refused to give up. I reminded myself why I started this in the first place. My family had built everything around food, and gathering around sharing meals and stories. This was the heart of Pickles & Pancetta, and no amount red tape or construction delays was going to stop me from making it happen. Somedays it felt impossible.
Now, standing in my store every day, I see the result of that resilience. I see customers who are thrilled to have a place like this in their community. I see the shelves filled with carefully curated products that took months to source. I see the grazing tables where people gather, share food and create memories. And I know that every struggle, every delay, and every challenge was worth it. Because resilience isn’t just about pushing through – it’s about holding onto your vision, no matter what stands in your way.

Have you ever had to pivot?

A key moment I had to pivot in business was when my original building fell through. After a year of planning, I was devastated when it became clear that the space I had my heart set on wouldn’t work out. But I realized I had to move forward, so I started searching for a new location. I ended up finding a completely different space in a completely different area, one I hadn’t initially considered. It felt like a huge change, but as soon as I walked into the new location, I knew it was meant to be. The space had the perfect vibe, the layout worked, and it ended up being the ideal place for Pickles & Pancetta.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://picklesandpancetta.com
• Instagram: @picklesandpancetta
• Facebook: @picklesandpancetta

Image Credits

I can’t remember the photographer’s name that took the photo of me in the picture. I will look it up and get back to you