It is in new premises that Romain Mini and Priscillia Delforge have reopened the historic Sapore d’Italia brand.
This Italian grocery store located on rue Lazare Bernard in Denain was created more than 24 years ago by Italo Piraina, the son of a father originally from Calabria, a region in the south-east of Italy, who immigrated to France at the end of 1950s After more than twenty years of commitment and loyal service, the sixty-year-old felt it was time for him to retire and pass his shop on to young enthusiasts.
“We are old customers”
These former customers of Italo Piraina fell in love with this shop. “We didn’t want to take over just any store, this one was already known in Denain. We live here, we didn’t want to go anywhere else.” Both have very intimate relationships with Italy, in addition to being children of the region. “I have Italian roots and a weakness for Italian gastronomy”, performed by Romain Mini. His partner Priscillia is not to be surpassed: “I have Italian family and also a passion for good things.” The couple really appreciates organizing short stays with our transalpine neighbors and does not hesitate to invite friends to the apartment.. “We travel to Italy two or three times a year, which allows us to enjoy the specialties and bring back sweets. Generally, we take an extra suitcase and it comes back full.” laughs the thirty-year-old.
The couple is also not completely new to the commercial sector. Romain Mini has worked for many years selling cultural objects. Priscillia Delforge, on the other hand, juggles between grocery shopping and her work as a representative in the Faubourg Duchateau district.
Crowded as soon as it reopens
On June 25, it was with joy that Romain Mini and Priscillia Delforge began the reopening of the store after three months of closure. The customers were present in large numbers on the occasion. “There was a wait, so many people at the reopening.” However, it was not easy for our young couple.. “It’s work, but we’re lucky enough to have caring customers who believed in us. We told them we didn’t have this or that product yet, but they told us it wasn’t a big deal, that they would come back next time. Even today it’s not always easy, but we hang on and have fun. stresses this Abscon native with a smile on his face.
New life
Nevertheless, Romain and Priscillia claim to be proud of the philosophical heritage and high quality inherent in this neighborhood business.. “We keep the same products but we want to add our personal touch, we still have the flagship products: Mortadella, Pecorino, olives, dried products… We remain a gourmet and family grocer with artisan products that come directly from Italy You can’t find this type of product in supermarkets, and it shows in the quality.”
The founder supports the young couple in their beginnings
To ease the transition, Italo Piraina supported and guided them as best as possible in this new adventure that awaited them.. “Italo is still helping out a bit while we acclimatise.” Furthermore, it did not escape the notice of the regular customers that the address had changed somewhat. La Sapore d’Italia has actually moved not far from its original premises to take advantage of space savings for the future services offered shortly. “We are developing a fast food restaurant that will have two spaces: indoors and on the terrace. The menu will be customized with dishes such as pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice), arancini or even Italian charcuterie. In short, enough to attract new customers. In addition, the products will vary depending on the seasons. “We will offer ice cream this summer, dove for Easter and panettone for Christmas.” The grocer seems to be in good hands, and the young Denaisian couple seem to have no shortage of ideas to add more to the menu at this business: “There is something for everyone.”
Tel.: 03 27 32 12 93
