Caffè Gilli e Caffè Concerto Paszkowski – Marco Valenza

Between stage and living room

Marco and Sonia Valenza manage the two most famous bars in Florence: the Caffè Concerto Paszkowski and the Caffè Gilli overlooking the elegant Piazza della Repubblica. Italian entrepreneurial history those of their parents made of dreams mixed with determination e I commit.

Sacrifice, love, and dedication. From managing a small bar in Florence to conquering the city's stage, the exclusive Caffè Concerto Paszkowski, and then the elegant Gilli lounge, one of the oldest venues in Italy.“My family's story is a beautiful entrepreneurial one, one of those that happened in the 1970s.,” Marco Valenza sweetly recounts, reconstructing his parents“ journey. “My father was Sicilian, and as a young man he moved to Tuscany, leaving behind his career as a Carabiniere. There he met my mother, who came from a small village in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. In Florence they decided to open a small bar..” Business was going well, their sacrifice and hard work were paying off, and the two decided to expand by purchasing a larger venue. Until they had the opportunity of a lifetime: buying the Caffè Concerto Paszkowski, taking advantage of a moment of profound crisis for the establishment. A leap into the unknown, undertaken with determination, courage, and a pinch of madness. It was the winning choice.“The acquisition of Caffè Gilli, adjacent to Paszkowski in the majestic Piazza della Repubblica, came ten years later. It was a dream for my parents. They earned it step by step..”

Gilli is a historic, upscale establishment in Florence, certainly one of the oldest and most prestigious in Italy. It opened in 1733 on Via dei Calzaiuoli, owned by the Swiss family of Luigi Gilli. At the time, it was called "Bottega dei pani dolci" (Sweet Bread Shop). It later moved to Via degli Speziali and finally to what is now Piazza della Repubblica. It began as a confectionery shop and later specialized in pastries, coffee, and even receptions. Numerous artists have passed through the doors of the two locations on Piazza della Repubblica, and to this day, it remains a point of reference for figures from the worlds of politics and cinema, as well as Italian and international singer-songwriters. Some of its recent famous guests include Papini, Bono Vox, Renato Zero, Fiorella Mannoia, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, De Sica, and American actor and director Stanley Tucci.

Paszkowski has a different history, it's a different kind of place, in some ways younger. It was originally called Caffè Centrale. It was already very large and welcoming. In 1903, the place took the name Paszkowski thanks to its acquisition by the Carlo Paszkowski & Co. company, pioneers of the Italian beer industry. In the early 20th century, it established itself as a literary café, welcoming intellectuals such as Prezzolini, D'Annunzio, Soffici, Papini, Montale, Saba, and Pratolini. Both a beer hall and a refreshment point, the place featured in Florentine evenings with the "caffè concerto" formula.“Music has always been central to the venue. In the 1960s, the first female symphonic group performed here, and the tradition has continued to this day. The venue attracts young people aged 15 to 25 who come to listen to our live performances.”.

For 25 years, Marco has managed the two restaurants together with his sister Sonia, focusing on the absolute quality not only of the products but also of the service.“The welcome must always be five-star, for each of our customers, even for those who only have a coffee.” Added to this is the variety of the offering, which ranges from sophisticated artisanal pastries and classic bar products, to specialties for quick lunches, aperitifs, and a very extensive wine list. “After some historical research, we discovered that Paszkowski originally had much more square lines in his furnishings, and so we're planning a renovation of the 90% space. We're tackling a complex project and awaiting approval from the Superintendency, as both spaces have specific aesthetic constraints. As for Gilli, we need to work on some details, including the pastry shop and the "backyard," which isn't visible but is essential for us..”

“"There are moments in life that remain etched in your memory, like the conversation between my father and Massimo Giacchierini: they were talking about the renovation of Paszkowski. I still remember the light in Massimo's eyes and the enthusiasm with which they approached this project."”

And this is where Aba comes in, whom Marco has known since he was just a child.“I remember meeting Massimo Giaccherini for the first time at my parents' house. There are moments in life that remain etched in your memory, and my father's conversation with Massimo is one of them. They were talking about the Paszkowski renovation. It was the late 1980s, and I was probably 12 or 13 years old. I can still see the light in Massimo's eyes and the passion and enthusiasm with which he and the entire company approached this project..”

From that day on, the collaboration with Aba has never ceased.“They've been a huge help, especially in introducing technology into our venues and optimizing operations. Having cutlery on the right rather than the left of the counter can make all the difference. And they've guided us through these details too. Managing two pillars of Florentine entertainment is a responsibility, but we embrace it with satisfaction and motivation. Over time, with Aba, in addition to Caffè Gilli and Caffè Concerto Paszkowski, we've opened three other locations: Bigallo, Pasticceria Scudieri, and Move On, all in the central Piazza San Giovanni, the western side of Piazza del Duomo, opposite the Baptistery. We're now finalizing plans for the new Caffè Paszkowski, scheduled for completion in 2020. In Aba, we've found the perfect partner; they never tire of studying, experimenting, and listening to our every whim. I realize that, day after day, we're becoming more demanding of ourselves and our suppliers. Because we want to offer a thrill to everyone who enters our premises..”

. My wish for them is that they find strength in their bonds. Just as I found it in the bonds with my brothers..”