Veni, vidi, Vivvi

CHARLIE BONELLO, Vivvi

WORK • Tuesday Routine

CHARLIE BONELLO • co-founder and CEO • Vivvi
Neighborhood you work in: Tribeca

It’s Tuesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I was born and raised in NYC, and I’ve lived everywhere from Bensonhurst to the Upper East Side to the West Village and Stuyvesant Town, but after the “surprise” of having twins three years ago, we moved to Westchester. Like many parents, on Tuesdays, I’ve lived a thousand lives before I get to our Vivvi offices in Tribeca. My kids go to school at the Vivvi across the street, so I’m up at 6a to get them fed and in the car. We spend the commute singing — they’re going through a Frank Sinatra “New York, New York” phase right now — and I’m usually at my desk by 730a. 

As soon as I eat breakfast, I’m already thinking about lunch. I’m a creature of habit, and my colleagues joke that it’s either “old bodega” (​​honey turkey and American with mayo and mustard on a hero) or “new bodega” (chicken Caesar salad wrap). If I’m feeling ambitious, I’ll check out @a_man_and_his_sandwich to see what his latest favorites are; the founder runs a NYC sandwich tour and is also a Vivvi dad. Otherwise, I have Court Street Grocers on regular rotation. There’s nothing more satisfying than scarfing down a Droopy while watching celebrities work out at The Dog Pound across the street from our offices.

I work from home on Monday and Friday, and our kids go to our Vivvi up in Westchester those days; I’m still scoping out the food scene in Hartsdale, but I’m so far loving Dante’s in White Plains.

What’s on the agenda for today?
In between meetings at the office, I do my best to get out and about around the city and stop into some of our schools. We just acquired a few new locations, so on any given day, I could be anywhere from 96th and Lexington to South Slope, meeting the teachers and getting to know new families. 

Later on, I’m going to head out a little early to pack for a trip I have scheduled to pitch a potential new corporate client. I try to use my travel time to listen to an audiobook or catch up on a few business podcasts, but I’d be lying if I didn’t also indulge in some quiet contemplative staring on the plane; it’s basically the only time I ever get to do that.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
When I’m in the city, I try to take advantage of the chance to meet another founder or investor. My favorite local Tribeca spot is Walker’s; it’s classic and consistently excellent. I’m a big fan of the French dip and a Manhattan. 

My family spends a lot of the weekend here in the city too, since most of our friends’ kids and our kids’ friends go to school here. But in the version of my life where I didn’t have to rush back to get them home — and the version where someone else took them home for me — I might get dinner and drinks with some friends. When I was younger, I loved Sammy’s Roumanian, and I’m a little bit curious about the reincarnated version. But since I’d most likely be disappointed, and I don’t get that many weekend nights out, I’d rather go for a sure thing like Minetta Tavern or head over to Nat’s on Bank — the seafood tower is always a crowd-pleaser.

How about a little leisure or culture this week?
A lot of the culture I get these days is ballet and art for the 3-5-year-old set. But when I do have an afternoon free, I love to take in a Yankee game. Vivvi provides child care for the players and coaches during the home games, and as a lifelong Yankee fan, it’s pretty much the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my career. I always hit Stan’s before and Billy’s after, and I can honestly say that the best seats in the house are the bleachers. I’m good for a hot dog, a canned margarita, and lots of serious baseball talk with the Bleacher Creatures. Make sure you get there for roll call, which happens right after the first pitch. 

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
I’m a pretty basic guy and I don’t believe in spending a lot of money on what I wear. But I did just spring for a pair of Thursday boots and I’m impressed. They’re resilient, comfortable, and go with everything.

What NYC store or service do you love to recommend?
I love to support parents in our Vivvi community. I just tried Regina’s Grocery, which is located right near our new Carnegie Hill campus, and it was unbelievable. I’ll be building it into my sandwich rotation for sure.