Fall 2009

All-American Sells By Sue Marquette Poremba

i tesori Gifts

When Anthony Vento opened his shop two years ago, i tesori Gifts and Home Furnishings from Italy in Lakewood Ranch, FL, the idea was he would only sell items from Italy. But Vento says that due to cost considerations, he decided to sell American-made products, as long as they have an Italian theme.

“It’s a matter of smart buying,” he says. “I could buy Italian products, but in today’s market, they aren’t going to sell.”

Vento’s shop sells items like American-made T-shirts with Italian graphics and paintings of Italian scenes created by a local artist. And in selling American-made items, Vento made a discovery: while the Italian theme brings people into the store, his customers like having the opportunity to buy products made by American vendors.

“I think my customers do care about whether or not a product comes from the U.S.,” Vento says.

Sue Marquette Poremba

Sue Marquette Poremba is a freelance writer based in State College, PA. She specializes in technology, engineering, energy, and IT security topics. She has also published over a dozen essays and is the author of a book about the Philadelphia Phillies.