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August 9th, 2009
The Hill has welcomed its newest store with open arms. The two high school friends, Marie Cuccia-Brand and Debbie Torpea Monolo, had long talked about a store like Girasole Gifts and Imports and jumped at the chance when the ideal space at the corner of Marconi and Wilson became available. “Many of our customers have told us that they too had recognized that the Hill needed a store like this” said Cuccia-Brand. “We’re so happy that our customers seem to love the store as much as we do and we’re also happy that our husbands, Richard Brand and Joe Monolo, agreed to our ambitious idea.” The mission is to capture the Italian experience for St. Louisans and visitors and to be a source for not only the things that represent Italy’s finest contributions to enriching our lives, but also to be a resource for the very rich culture that is appreciated by so many, Italians and non-Italians alike. “It occurred to us early in this venture that we would face a never ending search for new and different items to add to the store. However, the cultural and artistic contributions of Italian craftsmen and artisans are so abundant that we find more new and beautiful items at every turn. “Finding the new items has turned out to be the easy part—the difficult part is finding room for everything we want to include,” said Monolo. Both realized quickly that the store would be a work in progress. “We opened the store with a representative sample of favorite things that we and friends have found while visiting Italy and also included unique items that may be new to the St. Louis community.” Beautiful ceramics, bowls and platters, kitchen ceramics, murano glass and Florentine paper, millefiore, glass, Italian charms and other jewelry as well as religious items were originals when the store opened in November. “We have already added a number of lines that we learned about from our customers and neighbors and will continue to do that so we are providing a service as well as expanding our lines in a way that could only be accomplished on the Hill.” Beauty items like lotions and facial products include Cali Cosmetics, an olive oil based line from Sicily, and most recently, the beautifully packaged L’erbolario bath and beauty items from a line originating in an herb shop in Lodi, Italy made of all natural products and available exclusively at Girasole in St. Louis. The search for ceramics led them to a stunning line of dinnerware and glassware made the traditional way in factories along the Amalfi Coast and in Tuscany. These products helped launch a bridal registry this month with tabletop choices ranging from the traditional to the trendy, from rich Tuscan colors to crisp whites to deep reds and gorgeous glassware for today’s lifestyle. Another great find was DiCarlo Confetti (candy) made into flowers, chocolates and almonds shaped with candy coating and elegant silks and toiling that make unique and traditional favors, or bomboniere as they are known, for weddings, showers, christenings or any special occasion. Promoting the culture is at the root of the owner’s vision. Books, music and language lessons are favorites in the store and an integral part of Italian culture. Everything from the history of Italy, to favorite travel books, novels set in Italy to suggested readings before a trip and guidelines for tracing your Italian heritage. The music collection, now consisting of Italian American favorites, pop music and San Remo Festival cd’s will soon include a wide selection of Italian opera—both cd’s and video’s of classic historic performances. Elaborate masks from Venice sold at Girasole were a part of this year’s St. Louis’ Mardi Gras, or Carnevale, celebrations and made their way to mask collectors in the city. Montedragone porcelain dolls and hand carved puppets, also exclusive to Girasole, will be of interest to collectors as well. Many children’s toys and books and a doll that speaks Italian and English, provide options to keep the Italian traditions alive in the next generation. There are also some essentials unique to the Hill – the della Croce family fountains and statuary are available for special order and concrete Blessed Mother statues are in stock. St. Joseph House Selling Kits are available at a price appropriate to the tradition of burying the statue in the front yard of a home for a quick sale—comes complete with instructions. Plaques from another Italian American artisan, Al Pisano, captures many beautiful sentiments of Italian heritage—like “Buona Fortuna,” a revered toast, “Cent Anni” wishes you will to live to be 100, Sempre Famiglia, and many more. “If it means Italy to you—we want to have it in our store. We hope Girasole Gifts and Imports will be the place you think of when you want a gift or a treat for yourself that connects you to the beauty of Italy and we want something special for every price range. We are working to create a shopping experience unlike any other – except in Italy, of course.” Marie Cuccia – Brand and Debbie Torpea Monolo The Hill, St. Louis 2009 Marie Cuccia-Brand and Debbie Torpea Monolo opened their shop in 2003. Throughout these years it has become the reference point of Italophiles, who visit the Hill of St. Louis for its special atmosphere and its famous restaurants, who then have a chance to admire and buy a true piece of Italy. Marie and Debbie have managed to blend the Italy of America with the Italy of Italy and their continuous research has rewarded them. In 2007 they started on-line sales thus giving everybody the possibility to benefit from their talent. Their ancestors were Sicilians and Lombards._ |