Libreria Pino, the Italian-language bookstore in North Beach in San Francisco, Calif., has relocated to 1501 Grant Avenue. Hoodline reported that since opening as a pop-up store in 2017, Libreria Pino "has outgrown several different locations in the neighborhood. Now, the bookstore's starting a fresh chapter in bigger digs that will serve as its long-term home."
For the past 18 months, owner Joseph Carboni has worked to transform the site of a former bakery "into a light and airy haven for Italian literature lovers," Hoodline wrote. "The inviting loft-style space features exposed ceiling beams and brick walls, rows of streamlined white bookcases, and sleek chrome and leather seating." The bookshop had spent four years in a small spot on Union Street, but Carboni knew it couldn't accommodate his shop for the long haul.
"We are, I believe, the only bookstore dedicated to the promotion of Italian language books and literature," he said. "I think I looked at, or heard about, every single retail space in the neighborhood and most of them were a similar size. A small space means limited square footage and possibility for how much inventory you can fit."
Carboni found the new site in December 2020. "After sketching design plans and getting the green light on his business proposal from the building owners, he was ready to move forward with construction at the beginning of 2021," but the pandemic caused delays, though he said the setbacks actually proved to be a blessing in disguise.
"Everything was on-hold, everybody was staying home," Carboni recalled. "So it was the perfect time, I think, to undergo a construction project. It's been an amazing journey, one that required a lot of patience. But here we are in June of 2022, and the dream has become a reality."
While the bookstore's main focus continues to be Italian literature, Carboni noted that with more room he can also offer more English-language titles: "Now that we're here and have this opportunity in this space, we can be more flexible and see what the neighborhood is looking for. Of course, we also want to work with, and be respectful of, all the other existing bookstores in San Francisco and make a positive contribution to the literary landscape. We're just so excited to be here and to have had so much positive feedback from our new neighbors."