Montana Avenue is about to get a lot sweeter. Signage is up at a storefront on the neighborhood’s retail strip, signaling that Italian gelato chain Bacio di Latte is planning a second Santa Monica location. The upcoming shop is set to give locals a closer option than the brand’s downtown outpost, although there is still no public opening date. In the meantime, neighbors are already eyeing the build-out.
The storefront at 1510 Montana Ave was first spotted by What Now Los Angeles, which noted that Bacio di Latte operates roughly 20 locations and has additional Southern California openings in the works. According to the site, the Montana Avenue address will be the brand’s second Santa Monica shop, and the exact opening timeline remains unclear.
About the Brand
Bacio di Latte was founded in 2011 by Italian brothers Edoardo and Luigi Tonolli and focuses on daily in-store gelato production using ingredients such as organic milk and Italian-sourced hazelnuts and pistachios, according to Bacio di Latte. The brand’s U.S. pages highlight a lineup of rotating flavors, affogati and other specialty treats.
Downtown Store and Local Timeline
The company already has a foothold in the city with a downtown Santa Monica location at 331 Santa Monica Boulevard, which opened last year. The Santa Monica Daily Press reported that the shop debuted in late May 2025. That first location offers a look at the brand’s neighborhood strategy, with small-format counters serving fresh-made gelato to both tourists and local shoppers.
Why Montana Avenue
Montana Avenue is described as a tree-lined neighborhood shopping corridor known for boutiques, cafes and steady local foot traffic, according to Visit Santa Monica. Bacio di Latte’s regional growth is also starting to show up in mall directories. The Americana at Brand lists the gelato shop as “coming soon” in Glendale, signaling a broader Southern California push.
Bacio di Latte has not announced an opening date for the Montana Avenue location, and What Now Los Angeles reports that the timing is still up in the air. Menus and hours are expected to appear on the brand’s site once construction wraps and a formal opening is set, so for now Montana Avenue residents will have to keep waiting for their next scoop.
