Piccolo Press Closes Its Doors In North Beach

Piccolo Press Closes Its Doors In North BeachPhotos: Piccolo Press
Blair Czarecki
Published on May 26, 2015

From March 2012 until earlier this month, Piccolo Press was in operation at 703 Columbus Ave., helmed by gallery owner and letterpress operator Laura Sample-Mattos. The unique local business quickly became a staple of North Beach's cultural scene, acting as a gallery, letterpress studio, shop and gathering place.

However, due to Laura’s sudden passing from liver cancer, and an increase in rent, the decision was made to close Piccolo Press in May 2015.

Owner Laura was a California native, residing in the North Beach area for over 35 years with her husband, artist John Mattos, and raising her son Blake (33) and daughter Mary ( 29) there.  Her early endeavors included running letterpress studio Lampion Press in the 1990s from Jansen Alley (also located in North Beach).   

Laura Sample-Mattos.

Laura’s long history in the North Beach neighborhood propelled her small business into a robust artist space. “She was so loved and such a focal point of the community; it’s hard to express that in words,” said Justine Kessler, who has known Laura and her family since 1990 and helped out at Piccolo Press since it opened in 2012. Justine also acts as the assistant manager/outreach coordinator for Artist & Craftsman Supply, also located in North Beach.

Piccolo Press was host to “many and varying local artists” throughout the years, with their work spanning everything from giclee and mixed media to oil paintings, taxidermy, pen and ink, and watercolor. 


“The most remarkable thing about Piccolo Press was how it was a space beyond a shop or gallery," said Justine. "People have described it as Laura’s ‘Salon’. Anyone and everyone were welcome to walk in during open hours and talk ideas, inspirations, or share neighborhood news over a cappuccino."

Laura's memorial show on April 11th was the last show held at Piccolo Press before its closure. "The final show at Piccolo, a celebration of her life and work (watercolor illustrations for children’s books, letterpress pieces, pastel illustrations of Greek myths), drew over 700 people from not only the neighborhood, or SF, but from all over the world," said Justine.

"There were upper-echelon members of SF society sharing a champagne toast and conversation with North Beach bohemian free spirits. Laura’s ability to make sure everyone who crossed her path felt heard and respected was a quality we all admire and will miss deeply."

The space at 703 Columbus stands empty for now, and there's no word yet on what might be moving in to the neighborhood.