Back in the USA - Simioni Imports

While in Italy in June 2014, and searching online for more Simioni, we found Simioni Imports in Evanston, Illinois, USA. It's crazy -- I have family I visit there and never knew about this company.

I've been chatting with Danny Simeone (name spelling changed by his grandfather).
I can't wait to go back to visit family and friends in Evanston and Elmhurst to meet Danny and his father Roberto in person (and maybe drink a little wine?)

It's possible that someday they will produce a Simioni label wine. That would be fun, wouldn't it?

Their family is also from Cittadella and Castelfranco Veneto so they may be related to some of our families.
Danny: maybe you can give us a little Simioni family tree info: great-grandfather's name, etc.

Follow them on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/simioniimports

Website:
http://www.simioniimports.com/

Danny & Roberto Simeone

I think I like these guys!

From their website:

Simioni Imports is a family-run company with deep family roots bridging both sides of the Atlantic.  

Simioni is our ancestral Venetian family name, and is employed in our crest to honor our family bonds in the old and new worlds. 

A forester first, later a maple syrup producer, and finally a wine importer, Robert grew up in Chicago with strong connections to his large Italian-American family, including his four grandparents who all emigrated from Cittadella and neighboring villages in the Veneto region.  His nonno gave him his first taste of wine at age seven, and he grew up eating the sopressa and salsiccia made by his father and uncles while drinking wine and playing bocce. Visiting family in Italy gives him a chance to return every year and continue his search for the special native varietals that are the hidden gems of the Italian winemaking world.

Simioni Arredamenti

June, 2014
We had the pleasure of meeting some of the family who own Simioni furnishings/arredamenti in Rosà Veneto.

Back in 2009 a young Richard Simioni who lives in Florida (no relation that we know of) told me about the furniture company which his grandfather Umberto founded. We've been in the area several times but never had time to investigate.

This time we did and just stopped in. Fortunately Liam Simioni speaks English quite well -- since our Italian is painfully slow and inadequate. His family did not know of Richard's family, their cousins, in Florida. It's a bit crazy how I get to connect Simioni families when I travel.

Liam did tell us that they are related to Carlo Alberto Simioni in Cittadella -- well who isn't?? Seriously, I believe he was already been connected to cousins on an earlier visit of ours: Marco (Paris), Cherie (Chicago), and Sandra (Miami). Now they must all be related to Liam and also Richard in West Palm Beach, Florida. Can any of you make that connection to Umberto and family?

Rick, ___, & Liam Simioni

More to follow.

http://www.simioni.it/contenuti/storiaInghilterra1.html


"The history of SIMIONI Company began in 1959. The founder, Mr Umberto Simioni, after he had graduated, started to work by a master artisan near Bassano. After a long military service in the body of the “Alpini”, he began to work in one of the most famous furniture companies in the area. In 1959, before marrying Giuseppina, his wife, he decided to set up his own company, using the building that his father Angelo offered him. In the first laboratory, Mr. Umberto thought and created, assisted by skilled workers, furniture in classical style that became part of the most beautiful private Italian homes. These collections were very successful and Simioni brand became very important in the international scene. For several years Simioni furniture crossed the ocean to arrive in America where they were very appreciated. In 1970 was built the factory in Rosà in via Roma. In this period his sons entered into the company and the best craftsmen of the industry became part of Simioni company. These were the years of the Italian Renaissance, the request of furniture was growing very fast and shops were competing hardly for having the exclusive of Venetian furniture. Among '70s and '80s Simioni was one of the most important and best known brands in the industry. As a matter of fact, the Company was a reference point in the market in that period. Faithful to the their history, Simioni furniture, being mindful of various styles, still today are made with top quality woods, finished with special care and personalized. Fifty years after its birth, Simioni company, founded by Mr. Umberto, continues to be a player in the major international markets, focusing more and more on innovative and high quality furniture, according with the best Italian craftsmanship tradition."