Italian Importing Company

March 13, 1912

The Oregon Mist

Italian Importing Company

August 9, 1912 - The Oregon Mist


The Rosasco, Valpiani, Corsiglia, Romiti, Caniparoli, and Pasero families gathered for the 1912 grand opening of the Italian Importing Company on North 14th between Columbia Boulevard and St. Helens Street. The expansive, multi-storied business sold groceries and feed. Many Italian families formed a community that retained its culture and language for years. In fact, Theresa Ballatore Marson, who moved to St. Helens in 1920 at age five, only spoke Italian when she started school. Her mother ran Ballatore Boarding House. Nick Federici bought the Royal Shoe Store in the 1920s. Federici’s Shoes closed its doors in the 1990s. Another business with an echo of Italy remains: Bertucci’s, a coffeehouse on Columbia Boulevard. (CCMA)

September 6, 1912

The first ad for the new Italian Importing Company appeared in the September 6, 1912 edition of the Oregon Mist

A shop inside the Italian Imports Building.
Right: Virgino Romiti Left: Angelo Caniparoli In Italian Importing Building

September 13, 1912

Italian Import Bldg.

1928

March 29, 1929

February 28, 1936 - St. Helens Sentinel-Mist

November 5, 1937 - St. Helens Sentinel-Mist

May 17, 1940 - St. Helens Sentinel-Mist

November 29, 1940 - St. Helens Sentinel-Mist

June 2, 1942 - St. Helens Sentinel-Mist

May 1975

Photos taken by Melvin Olson as the building was being deconstructed.