Along with your four siblings, you were both born and raised on Palm Beach. Your mother, Gail Coniglio, retired as Palm Beach Mayor in 2021 and your father, Frank Coniglio, was a successful businessman and restaurateur. In short, the island is in your blood. If we were to preview a clip from your ‘childhood reel’, what were the highlights? 

Growing up in Palm Beach in the 90s was like a clip from a quintessential childhood movie. We rode our bikes from the north end to midtown daily; stopping in to Publix for subs and sweet iced tea before setting ourselves up at Bradley Park for a picnic. We would set off back home with a Sprinkles cone to go. By nightfall we were expected home for family dinner where there was an open door policy for anyone who wanted to stop by and grab a plate. We were often joined by family friends or an occasional officer who knew what time dinner was and would stop in for a bite. We lived outdoors spending our time at the beach, the Sailfish Club, and finding our friends by seeing which house had the most bikes parked outside of it. It was blissful and simple, rooted in family and tradition. 

 

Have either of you lived outside of Florida and/or entertained leaving? If not Palm Beach, where do you envision yourself living? 

Francesca & Gabrielle: Outside of going to college at the University of Alabama, Francesca stayed close to home nurturing her roots in our hometown creating a beautiful life with her high school sweetheart, William Finck. Gabrielle on the other hand hopped states pursuing her culinary passion living in New York, New Orleans, and California before returning home. I [Gabrielle] could not imagine raising my family elsewhere. The joys of seeing our children together living a life similar to our nostalgic childhood is indescribable. For us, family has and always will be the most important thing to nurture. 

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Palm Beach and downtown West Palm have changed drastically – in the last four years, especially. What aspects of growth have you energized and excited? Conversely, what concerns do you have around such rapid expansion?

Francesca & Gabrielle: While it may feel uneasy at times to see our small town grow into a big city I do believe the heart of the Island will always remain the same as we all honor and cherish the small town energy that Palm Beach provides. It is exciting to share this special place with the many that have flocked here and we look forward to the steady growth of our beloved hometown. We have many friends that have grown up here that are finding their place amongst the growth and opening store fronts and restaurants which is incredibly exciting. One of which is our sister, designer Christina Coniglio, who is celebrating a successful first year of her clothing line, “Coniglio Palm Beach”.  I think we echo all native Palm Beachers when we say the only worry we may have is the heavy traffic which will hopefully be addressed as the growth continues. We pray the Palm Beach authenticity remains untouched and that our newcomers put value and emphasis on the local establishments and culture that has made Palm Beach the special place that it is. 

 

What inspired you to chair the island’s annual Turkey Trot? 

Francesca & Gabrielle: We were blessed enough to be second in line behind our sister, Cara Coniglio McClure, who spearheaded the race 15 years ago. We were honored to fill her and her husbands shoes as the Turkey Trot co-chairs. It is an event that we have attended year after year and what we all look forward to the most during this holiday season. It is not just a race but a beloved family tradition with a beautiful and heartwarming cause. 

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What are your post-race Thanksgiving plans? Is there a tradition that you look forward to and/or are hoping to build with each of your young families?

Francesca & Gabrielle: Each year following the race we make our way to our moms house for a day spent cooking, playing with the kids at the beach, taking walks together, and ending at a table fit for 35 adults and children to share in our meal together. Our mom hosts yearly and the tradition of family togetherness from dawn to dusk is one that we all look forward to, especially the kids. 

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What do you think is the best way for young people, locals or new to the area, to get involved in the community?

Francesca & Gabrielle: A great place to start would be joining us for the annual Turkey Trot! It is always fun to be reunited with locals making their way back home for the holidays, neighbors, and new friends. It’s a great way to be introduced to the United Way and experience first hand just one of the incredible ways they support our town and surrounding areas.

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What featured Privet event are you most excited about this season? 

Francesca & Gabrielle: The Turkey Trot, of course!

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What are a few spots (restaurants, cafes and coffee shops, boutiques, galleries, etc)  in PB and/or WPB that are on your “must” lists?

Francesca & Gabrielle: We are big fans of long time local businesses like Aioli and Pumphouse, who also bless us each year with treats and coffee at the trot so don’t forget to pop by their tent! We adore the team and the food at Greens Pharmacy, Buccan, Celis, FOG, and Pizza Al Fresco. Be sure to stop by Surovek Gallery on Worth Avenue, C. Orrico, & Palm Beach Girls/Boys Club, and Haute Yoga. Of course, don’t miss the open air dining experience by the water at E.R. Bradley’s, our longtime family establishment that started on the island and grew to West Palm Beach in the late 90s.