Italian entrepreneurs

Italian entrepreneurs helped shape Calgary through hard work, craftsmanship, music, food, and community leadership.

Roma Grocery

Domenico Gasbarri arrived in Calgary around 1903 and opened Roma Grocery in 1917. Located at 207 4 Street NE, the store became a gathering place within the Italian community. Domenico, his wife Antonia, and daughter Flavia lived upstairs, while behind the store he operated a shoe repair and shoemaking shop. Known for his generosity, Domenico often allowed customers to run a tab until they were able to pay. The building still stands today. Roma Grocery remained in operation until Domenico’s death in 1938.

Cosmopolitan Store

Joseph Gallelli farmed near Crossfield, Alberta, where he grew vegetables and produced cheese. Spending part of his time in Calgary visiting his brother Nick, Joseph constructed the building at 212 4 Street NE and opened The Cosmopolitan Store. The business specialized in Italian meats, cheeses, and produce supplied directly from his farm. Operating approximately from 1911 to 1919, the store was later sold to the Palazzo Brothers. The building, known today as the Gallelli Block, still stands.

Pompillio Conservatory of Music (1925–1938)

Professor J.J. Pompillio arrived in Calgary with his family in 1925 after several years in Chicago, where he had earned a reputation as a respected band and orchestral leader. Soon after arriving, he began advertising music lessons and selling instruments. He taught numerous instruments and quickly attracted many young Italian students.

Under his guidance, the Italian Boys Band was formed and became well known throughout Calgary, performing at festivals, picnics, Stampede parades, banquets, and concerts. The band often played compositions written by Professor Pompillio himself. Among his students were Orlando Bombardieri, Mario Grassi, Thomas and Sam Taverna, Guarino Serani, Anthony Aiello, Ronaldo Rebaudego, and Louis Violini. Many continued playing music throughout their lives. Professor Pompillio helped bring music education and performance culture to Calgary until his retirement in 1938.

Canadian Shoe Shine (1928–1943)

Canadian Shoe Shine was located at 112 8 Ave SE, where the Glenbow Museum now stands. Luca Carloni opened the business in 1928 and often trained newly arrived Italian immigrants in the trade. At various times, his nephews Ringo, Leo, and Benny apprenticed in the shop. Mario Degusti and Ceslo Perosini were among the young men who later operated the business, with Ceslo eventually purchasing the store.

Nephew Leo Fabbi is working closer to the front. Luca is at the back operating a machine.

Nephew Leo Fabbi is working closer to the front Luca is at the back on a machine

Empire Shoe Repair (1938–1949)

In 1938, Luca Carloni and his nephew Leo Fabbi opened Empire Shoe at 219 8 Ave W, along with another repair location at 102 10 Street NW. Both shops remained in operation until Luca opened the L.C. Ballroom, later known as the Isle of Capri, in 1950.

Through Empire Shoes, Luca sponsored numerous baseball, soccer, and hockey teams for many years. One of the best known was the Riverside Empires peewee hockey team, which won the city championship in 1938.

Inside Empire Shoes store at 102 10 Street NW.

Dipalo Plumbing (1919–1950s)

After learning plumbing through work with other companies, James Dipalo opened his own plumbing and heating business in 1919. The company became a respected and successful business in Calgary. James supplied plumbing and heating services for buildings owned by the Giovanni Caboto Loggia and later the Italo-Canadian Society.

The business was initially located at 1016 Boulevard NW until the late 1930s, when James moved operations to his home at 229 3 Ave E, where the Federal Building now stands. His son John later joined the company and continued operating the business after James passed away in 1948, until relocating to Abbotsford, British Columbia in 1954.

Giovanni and James outside Dipalo Plumbing located at 1016 Boulevard NW.

Giovanni and James outside of Dipalo Plumbing located at 1016 Boulevard N

Alberta Coffee and Tea Company (1950–1973)

Alberta Coffee was founded in 1950 by Marino Cozzubbo following nearly 40 years of experience with Tuxedo Coffee and Spice Mill. Drawing from decades of knowledge about coffee beans sourced from around the world, Marino developed his own signature coffee blend.

Alberta Coffee built a strong reputation for high-quality coffee and dependable service to restaurants and local businesses throughout southern Alberta. When Marino retired, his son-in-law Frank Coulson assumed operations. The company was eventually sold to Dickson Coffee in the 1970s, though Frank remained involved for several years overseeing southern Alberta operations.