“Closing Time”

storia di un negozio

On Monday evening, October 23^rd, the Centennial Lodge No. 2828 in Manhattan had a wonderful installation of new members … 16 in all … including Gina Cioffi, Executive Director of the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, internationally famous soprano Cristina Fontanelli, and internationally acclaimed singer songwriter Giada Valenti.  After a delicious light Italian fare, everyone in attendance remained to witness the viewing of a new documentary film “Closing Time” (storia di un negozio), directed by Veronica Diaferia – a young Italian filmmaker of SPECIALTEAM. 

It is a heartwarming and sensitive story about a special Italian place and a special Italian Family.  E. Rossi & Co., an Italian treasure … was located until very recently in Little Italy on the corner of Mulberry and Grand.  Unfortunately, due to the New York real estate market, it was forced to shut down and this story documents the last month of business in the store and the current owner Ernie Rossi.  The film also highlights the 94-year-old Louis Rossi, son of the store’s founder (who has since deceased) … and Ms. Diaferia speaks with him about the closing of this store that is so close to his heart. 

This wonderful place – or rather Italian museum – was chock full of Italian memorabilia.  Ernesto Rossi came to America in the early 1900’s and opened this store to sell Italian to create a “cultural and musical crossroads between Italy and the USA mostly by importing Neapolitan music and opera.” 

Through the years, more and more inventory was added until it became “the place” to purchase Italian artifacts.  E. Rossi & Co. was the place to go for any size statue of your favorite saint … a nativity set for under your Christmas tree … old fashioned Italian kitchen equipment … all kinds of Italian pride merchandise, including t-shirts, bibs, sweatshirts and parking signs which read “Parking for Italians Only”.  The store was packed to the eaves with anything Italian you could ever ask for.  The basement of the shop was also jammed packed with even “older stuff” that no longer had a place in the main part of the store.  If you grew up in an Italian household and visited Little Italy a couple of times a year … your parents would always stop at Ferrara’s Pastry Shop for some espresso and pastry … and then always before going home you would stop in to E. Rossi & Co. to pick up a “little something” for the house.  My mother always bought a pasta bowl … all different sizes, to accommodate the amount of pasta she would make if we were having company.

When the short film was concluded … there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.  Ms. Diaferia answered questions and everyone realized they were in the presence of a young director with “tons of enthusiasm and real talent.”  It was a most rewarding evening for all.

“Closing time is a handicraft film, intentionally rough.  It’s characters are humble, forgotten by history, unable to adapt to the changes taking place and easily likeable.” 

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The film will be introduced at the Big Apple Film Festival, Saturday, November 18^th at Tribeca Cinemas in New York City.  Bravo to director Veronica Diaferia!!