Dolce Italy, a cozy East Avenue bakery that serves traditional Italian pastries, has been open for less than a year, but the family that owns it has already captured the hearts of many Rochesterians.

When the DiGrazia family announced on Facebook that 21-year-old Francesca DiGrazia had had heart transplant surgery on March 22, the post received an outpouring of supportive messages and prayers. Customers took in cards and gifts to be delivered to the hospital.