The Moment of Truth: Our Milanese Masterpiece Has Arrived!

When Brianna – my wife, my partner, and the visionary behind Vecchia Gelato & Café – first laid out her dream for the café, one thing was non-negotiable: the display case. She didn’t just want a place to hold gelato and pastries; she wanted a “WOW” moment. She pictured a sleek, modern, unapologetically Italian showstopper that would grab you the second you walked through the door.
And when you want the best of Italian design, there’s only one place to call: Milan.
A Dream, a Phone Call, and a Whole Lot of Patience
It was my job to make Brianna’s perfect vision a reality. That meant commissioning a custom, one-of-a-kind case directly from the legendary craftsmen in Milan, Italy. Together, we collaborated with master designers, making sure every detail celebrated Italy’s rich culinary heart while still feeling like a warm hug of Alabama hospitality. It had to be a piece of art that reflected us.
But let me tell you, ordering a custom Italian display case is a little more complicated than hitting “add to cart.” When I picked up the phone to call Milan, I quickly realized I was in for an adventure:
  • The Language Barrier: I’m a chef, not a linguist. There was a lot of creative communication involved—think intense enthusiasm, slow speaking, and yes, plenty of frantic hand gestures over FaceTime.
  • The Italian Timeline: They say great things take time, and our friends in Milan truly embody that spirit. They took their sweet, meticulous time to perfect every curve and finish. And I wouldn’t have it any other way—you can’t rush perfection.
  • The Epic Journey: This beauty has seen more of the world than most people! It was Milan → San Diego → New Jersey → and finally, safe and sound here in Hoover, Alabama!
The Heart of the Café
Now that it’s here, bolted down and gleaming, I can honestly say: it’s spectacular. This isn’t just a piece of equipment; it’s the heart of the Café. It tells a beautiful, two-sided story. On one side, you’ll find our Vecchia family-made gelato—creamy, vibrant, and crafted with the same passion that fuels our pizza ovens next door. On the other, a stunning display of freshly baked Italian pastries and those beautiful, golden focaccia flatbreads we’ll be making right here.
It’s where sweet meets savory, where tradition meets innovation, and frankly, where your eyes meet their first delicious bite.
Getting Closer to the Finish Line
This stunning showpiece will be the very first thing you experience when you walk into Vecchia Gelato & Café. It’s what sets the stage for everything we’re about to share with you, and it means we are inching so much closer to opening day!
We are hustling to get construction finished up and can’t wait for you all to experience the “WOW” moment for yourselves.
Stay tuned for the next behind-the-scenes update as we keep building this Italian dream, one scoop, one pastry, and one epic custom case at a time.

It’s Here!!!