Written by: Sarah Ericson | Photos by: Zee Wendell
Borgo Rosati, the Gathering Square, is a welcome addition to the community of Bend. Its concept is based on a time-honored Italian tradition, one that owner Mimmo Rosati knew would fit in this special northwest high desert town. For the people of Bend, Borgo Rosati might be new, but the feeling you get when you walk through the doors is as old as the feeling of home itself.
BRINGING GLOBAL INSPIRATION BACK HOME
Mimmo Rosati and Kristin Lear opened Borgo Rosati in 2022 shortly after relocating to Bend from Seattle. As longtime professionals in the home decor and design industries, they were immediately inspired to bring something new to the community. “When my wife Kristin and I arrived, we felt there was something missing in the community. A shopping experience that is more than just a department store—one that has a story you feel emotionally involved in,” says Mimmo. In Italian, Borgo means the little neighborhood or the little square. “It’s a place with a warm, welcoming feeling,” he explains. By the time Borgo Rosati officially opened, Mimmo and Kristin had accomplished the incredible feat of starting a new business that felt like it had already been open for years.
“WE’VE CREATED A PLACE THAT IS NOT JUST ANOTHER SHOPPING AREA BUT ALSO A PLACE WHERE WE CAN GATHER. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ENJOY OUR COLLECTION. LONGTIME RESIDENTS, NEWCOMERS, TRAVELERS, AND OUR FEATURED ARTISANS ALLMIX AND MINGLE HERE.”
Their ability to hit the ground running was largely due to their combined expertise from various sectors of the home goods market. Mimmo rose to the top of the Italian ceramics market during the height of the dinnerware manufacturing era, and his knowledge of production, sales, supply chain management, and consumer trends influences every aspect of his professional life. But Mimmo admits that his work experience is only part of his inspiration. “My whole life has been focused on beauty. Growing up in Italy, I learned very early about the finer things—architecture, artwork, and the skills of humble creators,” he shares. “Working in various parts of retail taught me the skills to run a business, but the foundational knowledge about quality and value was instinctive.” Mimmo’s know-how is complemented by Kristin’s unique skillset as an interior designer and purveyor of high-end clothing and jewelry. After decades of living, working, and traveling all around the globe, they returned home to Bend, where Kristin was raised.
GATHERING WITH NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS
Borgo Rosati curates the feeling of a lively yet casual neighborhood gathering place. Much like an Italian piazza, there is a hum of activity with historic charm and distinctive decor. “We’ve created a place that is not just another shopping area but also a place where we can gather. Everyone is invited to enjoy our collection. Longtime residents, newcomers, travelers, and our featured artisans all mix and mingle here,” says Mimmo.
“MY WHOLE LIFE HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON BEAUTY. GROWING UP IN ITALY, I LEARNED VERY EARLY ABOUT THE FINER THINGS— ARCHITECTURE, ARTWORK, AND THE SKILLS OF HUMBLE CREATORS.”
Upon entering the store, visitors are greeted warmly and offered a cappuccino or a glass of private label prosecco. The invitation to make oneself at home is immediate, and it flows throughout the store. Items are staged thoughtfully and daringly, prompting everyone to appreciate bold choices and unlikely pairings. Mimmo notes that the feeling of home is of the utmost importance. “Just like a person’s house represents who they are and how their experiences have shaped them, so does our store represent who we are,” he explains. “The purpose of Borgo Rosati is to share a feeling of home with everyone who enters.” And he knows that it’s paying off, because he routinely hears from visitors who aren’t shopping at all. They simply stop by to relax and unwind in the gentle atmosphere, something he considers to be the highest compliment.
“JUST LIKE A PERSON’S HOUSE REPRESENTS WHO THEY ARE AND HOW THEIR EXPERIENCES HAVE SHAPED THEM, SO DOES OUR STORE REPRESENT WHO WE ARE. THE PURPOSE OF BORGO ROSATI IS TO SHARE A FEELING OF HOME WITH EVERYONE WHO ENTERS.”
In addition to the day-to-day experience inside Borgo Rosati, Mimmo and Kristin are proud to support individual artists and collaborate with local organizations. They regularly host special events where shoppers meet the artists and get first-hand knowledge of products, processes, and techniques. The artists come from all over the world, from South America, Africa, Europe, and the South Pacific. While these special events connect the people of Bend with global art and artisans, other events reinforce relationships closer to home. Mimmo recently joined the High Desert Museum’s board of trustees and is honored to be part of this beloved community organization. Contributing to the museum’s operations and fundraising events is an honor, one that Mimmo says is aligned with Borgo Rosati’s own mission to strengthen the fabric of the community.
HOSPITALITY, GOODS, AND SERVICES
The warm welcome provided by Borgo Rosati will never change, but the inventory is always in motion. All items are handpicked and unique, including dishes, tableware, home decor, and furniture. Shoppers will also find a limited supply of luxury women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories, and gourmet foods. Every item—from single plates to entire furniture sets—has been chosen for exceptional quality and rarity.
“KRISTIN IS AN INCREDIBLY TALENTED INTERIOR DESIGNER, AND SHE HELPS A LOT OF OUR VISITORS MAKE THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE.”
The current offerings at Borgo Rosati highlight many “found items” that Mimmo has selected from colleagues around the globe. These featured pieces showcase reclaimed wood, stone, marble, bone, shell, hides, and vintage linen. Through every line of products, interesting shapes and remarkable textures delight the senses and attract the attention of visitors. It is easy to confuse a visit to Borgo Rosati with an afternoon meandering through a museum or an art gallery.
Whether customers are seeking a single item or outfitting an entire house, Borgo Rosati offers services beyond a normal home goods store. “Kristin is an incredibly talented interior designer, and she helps a lot of our visitors make their dreams come true,” says Mimmo. Customers who are decorating a new home in Bend often bring their interior design teams from out of state. Those designers are frequently surprised to find Borgo Rosati’s caliber of high-quality goods and services. “Second home owners, from places like Seattle and San Francisco, are always impressed when they find high-end goods right here in Bend. And we’re proud to give the whole package. We can handle the sales, shipping, assembly, and, for those who are waiting for construction, storage. Borgo Rosati offers the whole package,” he adds. Along with residential services, Borgo Rosati also provides interior design solutions for commercial spaces. “Developers, restauranteurs, and the like come in and find unexpected items. We are pleased to deliver unique items for every layer of the market,” says Mimmo.
“SECOND HOME OWNERS, FROM PLACES LIKE SEATTLE AND SAN FRANCISCO, ARE ALWAYS IMPRESSED WHEN THEY FIND HIGH-END GOODS RIGHT HERE IN BEND. AND WE’RE PROUD TO GIVE THE WHOLE PACKAGE. WE CAN HANDLE THE SALES, SHIPPING, ASSEMBLY, AND, FOR THOSE WHO ARE WAITING FOR CONSTRUCTION, STORAGE. BORGO ROSATI OFFERS THE WHOLE PACKAGE.”
Borgo Rosati is, of course, a place to shop. But it is so much more. It’s a place to gather, to exchange ideas and inspiration, and it’s a place to share the feeling of home with friends and neighbors.
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