"Stop & Shop makes me walk on water," John Dimarco joked. The Italian baker, who owned Luigi's Bakery in Bridgeport for 52 years and now runs Luigi's Cannoli Cafe, is talking about how happy he is about a new deal he struck with the super market chain to sell his special cannoli pies in 400 regional stores.

The pies, made in Bridgeport, have been available in 85 Stop & Shop stores around Connecticut for eight years, but the expansion marks a milestone for the business. Before, partner Vicky Sarro said they drove around and hand-delivered pies to the grocery stores, but now they will be part of major distribution in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey, in addition to Connecticut.