Milano is a fashion maven’s paradise: Prada. Dolce & Gabbana. Armani… etc. But dresses and handbags don’t interest me much. I’d rather have knives and scissors. I’d rather have tools for making things. I’d rather have a well-crafted implement.
A girlfriend wrote to me last night and mentioned G. Lorenzi Coltellinaio on Via Montenapoleone, and a book that they have available. That’s a knife shop on the most fashionable, high-rent street in all of Milano! …I added it to my list today.
When I walked in and was greeted by several salesmen, I spoke to one and said that a girlfriend had asked that I buy a copy of their book, “That Shop in Via Montenapoleone”. He told me they had it, and that he would GIVE me a copy of the book. He started to giftwrap the book, then I saw him talking to a manager. Soon, he was giving me a copy for my girlfriend and one for me.
As I glanced at the display cases surrounding me, I thought “Oh my, I’ve GOT to buy something here!” That was easy to fulfill.
The salesman and I went into the basement showroom where they have kitchen, sewing and smoking tools. I “ooohed” and “ahhhed” for a while. Everything gorgeous. Everything well-wrought and will last a lifetime… at least.
When we came back up top, I swooned over the horn spoons, HAD to have a pair of kitchen scissors that would – many years later – go to a niece or nephew, and then I fell apart over the hard-cheese-knife-so-lovely-as-art.
We introduced ourselves finally. Roberto was a patient dear and waited while I selected my spoons.
That was one of the most pleasant buying experiences of my life! The things that I will carefully transport home will be coddled and treasured like nothing else.
I was in that small shop for about an hour, yet it remains a “treasure the size of several hours”. Roberto and I shook hands. Expressed our enjoyment of the chatting time. I gathered my new things into a special shopping bag and commented on the spitting rain that was foreboding… Roberto GAVE me a black and white umbrella to get me back to the Metro safe-and-dry.
How sweet.
If you are in Milano, just a little north of the Duomo and the Galleria, step into G. Lorenzi Coltellinaio and find something that you wish to pass on to those that come after you. What you leave them, they will one day need to choose a recipient for. It will last lifetimes. (As will the stories.)
G. Lorenzi
Via Montenapoleone, 9
Milano, Italia
Telephono: 39 027-602-2848