About Us

Long-established gift store settles in the Dongan Hills section of Staten Island. La Casa della Bomboniera & Il Telaio was launched in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn in 1970!

The store, operated by sisters Lori Barbera and Liliana Barone and their husbands, Maurizio and Salvatore, respectively, relocated in February 2005 from Brooklyn to Staten Island, NY.

The enterprise, whose name translates to "The House of Favors," has a first-rate, brand-name inventory -- domestic and imported -- that embraces china, crystal, stainless-steel houseware, sterling silver gifts and flatware, collectibles and fine gifts. "In our linen department," Mrs. Barone said, "all our products are imported from Italy," and include a seemingly endless list of offerings, such as sheets, bedspreads, tablecloths, embroidered linens and bath towels. The store also has an extensive inventory of bridal lingerie and bridal accessories, and favors and invitations for all occasions.

The return to Staten Island brings the business closer to home for the couples who have lived in the same two-family Huguenot house for nearly a quarter of a century. It was here that the Barberas raised their children, Linda and Francesco, and the Barones brought up their three children, Angelo, Marianne, who married Staten Island businessman Joseph Spatafora in 2003, and Michelle. "Our business was originally, of course, born in Brooklyn, but we were ready after 32 years to bring our store back to Staten Island, as now a good majority of our clientele live on Staten Island and in New Jersey," Mrs. Barone said. "It's also good to be home. We feel Staten Island is our home, since we've been living here for nearly 24 years. Since opening here in February, we have been greatly supported by the customers who have known us through the years, and by people who continue to discover us."

Although the business has extensive merchandise, its inventory wasn't as diverse in its earliest days, noted Linda Barbera, who pitches in at the business part-time, when she is away from her job as an intermediate school English teacher with the New York City public school system. "La Casa Della Bomboniera first opened its doors in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn in 1970," she said. "My family immigrated to this 'Little Italy' of Brooklyn from Palermo, Sicily, in 1968. My father and my uncle decided to provide the community with an additional Italian tradition -- la bomboniera."

The idea sparked the interest of Barbera and Barone while they worked as waiters in a catering hall on Brooklyn's 18th Avenue. " They noticed that people hosting weddings, christenings, first communions and other celebrations were not giving out bomboniere, or almond confetti, at the conclusion of their affair," Ms. Barbera said. "Che Vergonia (What a disgrace)!" The insight of the two men inspired the start of their business, which was launched on 18th Avenue.

The giving out of confetti during a celebration, especially one that involves a Blessed Sacrament, Ms. Barbera said, "is, at the very least, mandatory. The Italian almond confetti represents the bitter and sweet that the honorees will endure in the future." As the store's wedding business grew, Mrs. Barbera and Mrs. Barone initiated the importing of fine embroidered linens from Italy. "From there, we began providing the future bride with all the things newlyweds need to start building their 'nest,' from kitchen and dining ware to bed and bath ware," Ms. Barbera said.

"Today, we have it all. I would say, we are the mini-Fortunoff, with a bonus: A warm, family atmosphere. We treat our customers as if they were visiting a family or friend's home. We even serve espresso -- naturally, from the great machine that we sell!"

To reach us, please call (718) 667-0888.

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