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= DRAFT Ernest Rossi = Ernesto Luigi Rossi (born July 15, 1951). "Ernie" is an Italian-American shopkeeper in New York City. He is the third generation owner and operator of E.Rossi & Company Inc, the oldest gift shop in the original Little Italy USA, located Lower Manhattan, Little Italy, Manhattan. E.Rossi & Company is the only family-operated store in the United States representing the Italian-American immigrant experience from its origin during the early 20th century.

Ernie was born on Mulberry Street and celebrates his birthday on July 15th, the same birth day as his wife Margaret Faiella Rossi. They still reside in New York City.

Many long-time customers have had lengthy relationships with the Rossi family for many decades. Some of the store's merchandise has been designed exclusively for E.Rossi & Company.

The family also retains in their storage a variety of items that are culturally significant within the Italian-American community and with organizations in Italy. Mr Rossi has been interviewed several times by major publications such as the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. The family has also been the subject of books, documentary films, and museum exhibits. Mr Rossi has also been approached by the production office of filmmaker Martin Scorsese, however, at this time of COVID-19, the collaborations for new projects have been temporarily delayed.

For business purposes, Ernie has been learning about technology, email, surfing the net, and using social media. He has said that he prefers to avoid these distractions and instead will take time to tell stories, write songs, and share neighborhood experiences with his customers. Occasionally he might agree to do interviews with local authors, neighborhood bloggers, or YouTubers who offer informal opportunities to promote the Rossi company. He might also pull out his guitar and strum a little love song or treat customers to one of his favorite novelty tunes.

Ernest Rossi - Songwriter

"Little Italy shopkeeper pens song for ailing wife; Jenna Esposito to sing it at San Gennaro festival":

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/italy-shopkeeper-pens-song-ailing-wife-jenna-esposito-sing-san-gennaro-festival-article-1.439687

"Sustained by Saints and Song, This Little Italy Shopkeeper Hangs On":

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/nyregion/little-italy-mom-and-pop-shop.html

Little Italy's Oldest Gift Shop
E.Rossi & Company was established in the year 1910 at its first location, 189 Grand Street. For a short time the shop was located at the corner of Mulberry & Grand streets. During 2006 the store relocated a few doors down to its current address at 193 Grand Street.

Grandfather Ernesto Rossi was an immigrant from Southern Italy, Campania, Metropolitan City of Naples. The area is very rich in culture & history. Naples is the birthplace of Maestro Enrico Caruso, the most popular opera tenor of his era. The Campania region represents the origin of Neapolitan music "Canzone Napoletana" and the beginning of "piedigrotta" song-writing festivals & competitions. These events have since evolved into the Sanremo Music Festival, the EuroVision singing contest, and even talent shows such as American Idol. All of these events are a tribute to the rich cultural traditions of music in Southern Italy & Napoli.

Upon departing his homeland to emigrate to the US, Grandfather Rossi brought his passion for the music of his heritage. Once settled in New York City, he became a music publisher who also sold popular sheet music, piano rolls, and vinyl records. He was also a major supporter and promoter of the "Italian-American Songbook", later made famous by well-known singers such as Dean Martin, Louie Prima, Jerry Vale, Lou Monte, Jimmy Roselli, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Mario Lanza, Sergio Franchi, Frankie Valli, Frankie Laine, Sophia Loren, Connie Francis, Dion DiMucci, Bobby Rydall, Frankie Avalon, and many others.

Documentary film from 2006 - "Closing Time": http://www.folkstreams.net/film-detail.php?id=174

With customers all over the world, E.Rossi has recently expanded into digital marketplaces to further support its retail and wholesale operations.

The Rossi Store Today
Known to tourists as a one-of-a-kind "shopping experience", the store sells quite a variety of general merchandise and unique imports, including gift items, collectibles, decorations, holiday decor, religious statues, medallions, and prayer cards, Christmas ornaments, housewares, kitchen accessories, utensils, coffee-making supplies, pizza-making supplies, pasta-making supplies, souvenirs, novelties, greetings cards & postcards, posters, wall hangings, books & magazines, tote bags & backpacks, festival supplies, memorabilia, music CDs, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats/caps, and sports jerseys representing the most popular Italian soccer teams (football/calcio).

The historic novelty shop continues to specialize in Italian-American pop culture and still offers recorded music by talented artists of Italian, Neapolitan, and Sicilian heritage.

The Rossi company includes a storefront for retail/B2C, a wholesale/B2B business, and a small e-commerce/DTC presence for direct-to-consumer transations. The retail storefront is located in Little Italy, Lower Manhattan where the majority of B2C customers shop. Occasionally the B2B wholesale customers visit the store; however most of the higher volume business is by telephone ordering. The wholesale prices are not shown on the website.

The Rossi Archives remain in secure storage.

The Rossi Family
Ernesto Rossi - Grandfather.

Obituary is being researched.

Wife: Maria Rosa.

Luigi Rossi - Father.

Born December 18th.

Also known as "Louie" to his family, friends, and neighbors. "‘O Sole Mio,’ an Ever More Distant Strain": https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/17/nyregion/thecity/17ross.html

"The Passing of Luigi Rossi, owner of E. Rossi & Co. in Little Italy": https://lists.h-net.org/cgi-bin/logbrowse.pl?trx=vx&list=H-ItAm&month=0609&week=b&msg=9Hg6LEU2l91me8jr6z7duw&user=&pw=

Italia Vecchione Rossi - Mother.

Born May 1st.

Known as "Edith" or "Edie" to her family, friends, and neighbors.

Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/italia-rossi-obituary?pid=1378354&view=guestbook

Cultural Recognition
Italian-American Museum of New York City

Ernest Rossi

Coat of Arms of Royal House of Bourbon–Two Sicilies

Ernest Rossi received a recognition plaque decorated with the Coat of Arms of Royal House of Bourbon–Two Sicilies on behalf of HRH Prince Carlo di Borbone–Due Sicilie, Duke of Castro. The honor was bestowed to Mr. Rossi in recognition of his efforts to share the history and culture of the Two Sicilies through the many products he carries in his store. The plaque was presented by Delegate HE Cav. John M. Viola on December 3, 2018 at E.Rossi & Company (193 Grand St.) in Little Italy, New York,

http://constantinianchronicle.blogspot.com/2018/12/congratulations-ernie-rossi.html

Comitati Due Sicilie USA

Ernest Rossi received a certificate of appreciation from the Comitati Due Sicilie USA for his hard work and longtime support of the southern Italian community in New York City. The certificate was presented by Charles Sant'Elia at E.Rossi & Company on June 20, 2016.

http://ilregno2s.blogspot.com/2016/06/