Oak Park and River Forest High School alumnus Nello Ferrara, who grew up heir to the Ferrara Pan Candy Co., took a surprising turn in the early 2000s when he chose a career playing hockey. Since then, he has become an entrepreneur. His Forest Park gym, Ferrara Pan Fitness Factory, represents his newest chapter.
According to a 2017 article in The New York Times, Ferrara was getting ready to take over the family business when he decided to pursue a career in hockey. He played on 19 minor league teams between 2003 and 2014, according to the article.
In 2017 Ferrara decided it was time to do something new, so he opened up Ferrara Pan Fitness Factory. “I always had a great idea in my head on what a great athlete and what a person who trains to train at a high level sees as a perfect gym,” he said.
Opening the company was a different experience for Ferrara, but his past helped him as an owner. Ferrara said “the skills I learned while working at the candy company with my dad and my grandfather” have benefited him while running the gym, which offers boxing classes and weight training available for kids, teens and adults.
Jack Panichelli, one of the regulars and a senior at OPRF, said, “He is always a very welcoming presence. He’s always striking conversations with you, keeps us on our toes, and he gets us into shape every year.”
Natalie Swindal, another gym regular, said, “He’s goofy, and he encourages you to keep going even when you want to stop.” Many people describe the gym as a productive, positive and welcoming environment. Swindal even said “it has a family feel.”
On Nov. 15 Ferrara hosted a Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul watch party at the gym for about 75 people. Ferrara greeted everyone and made sure they all got some food and drink. Although there were some road blocks, like Netflix glitching out, Ferrara always stayed positive and found a way to work around it.
Ferrara said he is glad the gym is a presence in the community. If not for the gym, “I would not have the good feeling I have from helping youth in the surrounding areas and helping them be mentally and physically strong kids,” he said.
