Arrivederci: North Beach's 'Caffe Roma' To Shutter Saturday

Arrivederci: North Beach's 'Caffe Roma' To Shutter SaturdayPhoto: faungg's photos/Flickr
Nathan Falstreau
Published on September 25, 2017

After nearly 40 years in business, café and coffee roaster Caffe Roma (526 Columbus between Green and Union Streets) will serve its last cup of joe in North Beach on Saturday, September 30.

Irene Azzollini, one of the café's owners, told Hoodline that the decision to close came after "rent came up and our lease went up," she said. "We just decided not to stay. Saturday will be our last day as Caffe Roma owners here." 

The business will continue to sell coffee via its website, and its Bryant Street (885 Bryant St. at 7th) and Millbrae (143 S. El Camino Real) locations will remain unchanged. In addition to cafés and retail sales, Caffe Roma also supplies many Bay Area restaurants.

As for whether she'll look for another spot in North Beach, "It's not likely," she said. "Not if the rents continue to be like this."

Another reason for closing the location is personal as well. Azzollini said her father, Sergio Azzollini, is suffering from an illness and it felt like the right time to close the North Beach location to concentrate on other areas of the business.

The senior Azzollini opened the North Beach coffeehouse in 1977. "People are sad to see us go," Azzollini said. "We've been here a long time. Unfortunately, the times are not the way they used to be." 

Thanks to tipster Dennis W. for letting us know about the closing.