Standing at the large enamelled gas cooker, Nonna, in her floral apron, stirs the bubbling tomato sauce in a large copper pot. The aroma mingles with the scent of oregano, rosemary, basil and freshly grated Parmesan. The feeling of being a guest in an Italian kitchen with friends: it was with this vision in mind that we redesigned Kathrin and Stefan Barbisch’s delicatessen, Buongustaio, in Bregenz, Austria.
Around ten years ago, the Barbisch family took over Buongustaio Handels GmbH – which at the time had six outlets in Vorarlberg and Austria – as the franchisor, primarily supplying franchisees with Italian specialities. “We now want to run the Bregenz branch ourselves again,” explains Stefan Barbisch, “and so it was important to us to have a concept with a high level of brand recognition and a focus on retail.” In recent years, the Buongustaio in Bregenz has been strongly geared towards catering, but that is now set to change again.
Small but exquisite, the Buongustaio has been a fixture for many years across two floors on Anton-Schneider-Straße in Bregenz. This picturesque street is lined with one specialist restaurant after another – and now the Buongustaio has also been given a new look, designed by interior designer Michael David. “We wanted to create a vibrant and lively space,” he says.
The lower floor is primarily dedicated to delicatessen products, but also offers seating and standing areas for a quick espresso or a glass of wine. The existing structural elements and supports, which exude a touch of industrial charm, were previously painted black. We’ve given them a coat of white paint so that they recede slightly into the background, drawing the focus more strongly onto the goods.
“For us, it’s all about the shopping experience,” says Stefan Barbisch, “and here, alongside top-quality ingredients, you’ll also be served a delicious recipe or even an espresso to enjoy in between.” The dining area is accessible via a flight of stairs and is designed for anyone who’d like to stay a little longer.
Spanning two storeys, the Buongustaio features a space approximately five metres high, accentuated by modern, minimalist chandeliers with an industrial look.
emphasises Barbisch.
Oils and vinegars, chocolate, risotto rice, wines, fresh cheeses and cold meats, and much more – the Dolce Vita is celebrated on flexible, height-adjustable shelving units from roomly. These are just as perfectly lit as the wine cabinet, which showcases exquisite Italian wines that pair perfectly with a pasta dish cooked on Nonna’s enamel hob.
But there’s no shortage of hospitality at the newly redesigned Buongustaio in Bregenz either: on the upper floor, we’ve complemented the conventional seating area with a long bench made of rustic wood running along the balustrade, which creates a bar-like atmosphere. “We want to continue hosting small events here with winemakers or olive oil producers,” reports Barbisch. He finds it particularly exciting that Micha David has introduced a new colour – green – which previously did not form part of the corporate identity. “That takes courage in planning,” says the entrepreneur.
With the new Buongustaio on Anton-Schneider-Straße, the Barbischs have created a prototype that they intend to roll out gradually to other locations.
