BUFFALO, N.Y. — Issa's Pita Chips didn't always have a production line, and end up with a product to sell. It all started back in the 1980s with a family owned bakery and deli. But, like so many other businesses they had to adapt.

For the Issa family, it came at 50 pound bag of flour at a time.

"It took a couple of years, between my brother and I, working to make it a shelf-stable product," James Issa, the head of production said. 

And Buffalo couldn't get enough of Issa's Pita Chips. Then, COVID-19 came in and practically ate all of their business, including a partnership with Buffalo Public Schools.  

"I mean we saw all of our food service accounts, we lost them all," Issa said.  

Issa says retail was a smaller ingredient in their business model. But, that soon changed, thanks to Wegmans. 

"My brother reached out to them, gave them our case and they said, "We got to bring these guys on," he recalled. 

It's part of Wegmans 'Made Near Us' program. In May, they introduced two new flavors. This Fall, they  even got some  new equipment to make baking more efficient. 

Issa says keeping production up and running has been about  much more than making money. It's about keeping their 10 employees busy, and keeping a family legacy alive. He has some advice for any family businesses struggling to do the same. 

"Always be prepared to adapt," Issa said. "Like we've seen in 2020, you always have to be prepared for the worst." 

As they say, 'Issa Good Idea.' 

"It's a passion project," Issa smiled. 

Besides Wegmans, you can find Issa's Pita Chips at Tops, Whole Foods, and some other local stores.