STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — For many Italian Americans, the word “guido” has some heavy connotations. It’s a slur, it’s slang and it’s a stereotype. But for Christine Fiscardi Lentinello, it’s a term of endearment.

“I think a guido is someone who believes in putting family first. Someone who is confident, generous and extremely proud of his heritage,” Lentinello noted. “The title of guido is not a joke. It’s a compliment.”

That’s why Lentinello, a Huguenot resident who admittedly adores the guido identity — “the walk, the cologne, what’s not to love?” —built her own small business based on the cultural archetype. Her innovative, tongue-in-cheek design? Guido on a Ledge.

“We’re having a lot of fun with this,” Lentinello said of the plush product she brought to life in 2022 and has since spiked

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