WHO WE ARE.
For more than a hundred years and five generations At your service.
In the late 1800s a small workshop was established as a forge in Mondovi’s historic center on Corso dello Statuto. It is the first step taken by the Briatore Family in the city’s commercial sector.
John Briatore created his own business from scratch, starting first in rough ironworking and gradually expanding into the already processed hardware business.
In 1917, during World War I, the business was moved to the adjacent building at 22 Corso dello Statuto, the current location, as the small size of the store at the time could no longer meet the demands of the work.
The business was taken over by his son Giovanni fu Giovanni who, assisted by his wife, embarked on a new business concept, namely to eliminate the production of
hardware store to focus exclusively on retail sales.
Following his untimely death it was his wife Adelaide Bessone who carried on the business until their son reached the age of majority.
Again the business underwent a change in management. It was John III’s turn to take the reins of the store.
Under his leadership the business recovered from the dark period of World War II by heading into the economic boom of those years, including in the assortment the first household items that the market of the time demanded.
OUR HISTORY
In 1991 it was Giovanni’s son-in-law Piergiorgio Leonti’s turn to take over the family business. During these years under his leadership, the store specialized in duplicating
of keys, from traditional ones to the latest generation equipped with microchips, in the most sought-after household items, up to the duplication of radio controls; all without ever neglecting the main activity of the hardware store. In 2015 it is time for a change in the business: it is the turn of Piergiorgio’s son and Giovanni’s grandson, Ugo Leonti, to take over the Family business that has now spanned five generations and more than 100 years.
In early 2016, the store became an official retailer, exclusive to the area, of Ballarini, Wald, Fade Cristalleria, Hypno Casa Italy and Village Candle products. As well as numerous nationally and internationally known brands.
In 2017, the fleet of electronic car key duplication machines is increased. The store expands the selection of the housewares department by including Staub cast-iron cookware. A small lighting-technology department is also created with crystal acrylic lamps from Vesta Design.
2018 was a year of major changes for the store; Versace Home by Rosenthal collections are now part of the assortment available to customers; while the fleet of duplicating machines has been expanded even more by offering customers the technology of Advanced Diagnostics, namely the Smart Pro, for programming car keys.
In 2022, new brands in the home sector are added to the previous ones to make the range of offerings even broader and of higher quality. An example are Sambonet, Rosenthal, Artur Krupp, Hutschenreuther, Lagostina, Bialetti, and many others.
The store was expanded by restoring the old brick-and-stone cellars of the circa-1600 building by making the showroom of major brands and the out-door kitchen area.
Over 100 YEARS of experience
END 1800
A small workshop is born as a forge in Mondovi’s historic center
1917
During World War I, the business was moved to the adjacent building at 22 Corso dello Statuto, the current location
1991
It is Giovanni’s son-in-law Piergiorgio Leonti’s turn to take over the family business.
2015
Time for change in the business: it’s the turn of Piergiorgio’s son and John’s grandson, Ugo Leonti
2016
The store becomes an official retailer, exclusive to the area, of Ballarini, Wald, Fade Cristalleria, Hypno Casa Italy and Village Candle products
2017
The fleet of electronic car key duplication machines is increased
2018
Year of major changes, Versace Home by Rosenthal collections are now part of the assortment available to customers
2022
New brands in the home sector are added to the previous ones to make the offerings even broader and more high-quality
