A new independent bookstore and bistrot has landed in Greenwich Village, joining a number of up-and-coming book bars in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Helmed by Francesca Rizzi and her husband Rodolfo Tonello, along with their eldest son, Fulgi Tonello, Sullaluna NYC distinguishes itself with a focus on illustrated books for children and adults in English and Italian. The curated selection includes fiction and nonfiction, graphic novels, and poetry.
Sullaluna first opened its doors in the Cannaregio neighborhood of Venice in November 2017. Rizzi told PW, “We wanted to find a place where we could showcase illustrated books by some of the greatest artists, while also promoting healthy, clean, predominantly vegetarian food, with an emphasis on sustainability. When we found the perfect spot, just steps from home, on one of the most beautiful and lively fondamente in Venice, we didn’t hesitate to dive into the project.”
Looking to expand to a new location, the owners were drawn to the Village for its vibrant literary and artistic history. Rizzi said, “We decided to come, driven by the desire of Fulgi, who wanted to embark on a journey, challenge himself, and grow and gain experience. We hope to attract illustrators, writers, publishers, and people interested in books and culture.”
Since opening in July, Sullaluna NYC has hosted picture book creators Matthew Burgess and Marc Majewski, Jon Klassen, and Sydney Smith, as well as Wine and Watercolor socials, and more. Rizzi intends to travel from Venice to New York for two weeks every two months, to help manage the bookstore and events.
Rizzi described the many points of commonality between Venice and New York City, and how she sees the bookstore as a link between both worlds. “We want Sullaluna to become a place for exchange and knowledge, bridging Europe and the United States, and creating shared experiences and cross-cultural exchanges between Venice and New York. These two cities are far apart and very different, but both have a history of ports, of trade, and the movement of people, commerce, and initiatives.”
At the heart of Sullaluna is a mission to bring people together around books, regardless of age or country of origin. “To some, it might seem odd to combine illustrated books—many aimed at children—with a place where people drink wine, dine, and chat with friends. But our vision was, and still is, to highlight the artistic and poetic work behind these books,” Rizzi said. “We believe that illustrated books can speak to audiences of all ages because they touch on universal themes, philosophical and existential questions that resonate with everyone. They have the power to transcend borders, reaching straight into people’s hearts. These books are a perfect and precious tool for conveying emotions and feelings, simply by showcasing the magic created between text and images.”
According to the owners, the name Sullaluna, which translates to “on the moon,” was chosen because it “evokes a path, a journey, a far-off goal. It springs from a dream, a vision, a desire. In Italy, when someone is ‘sulla luna,’ it means they are immersed in their ideals, unconcerned with practical matters, and lost in daydreams.” It’s an expression that also proves fitting for the store’s children’s book focus, bringing to mind a rich tradition of picture books both on and about the moon, such as works by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd, Eric Carle, Brian Floca, Kevin Henkes, and Grace Lin. The moon is Earth’s night-light—a perfect source of illumination for reading bedtime stories.
A number of local artists and cultural figures were in attendance at the opening festa on September 5, including Stefano Albertini, the director of NYU’s Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò, and Emiliano Ponzi, author, illustrator, and co-founder of Salotto—a cultural salon in Brooklyn that launched in spring 2023. Ponzi shared why he’s delighted to welcome Sullaluna to his adopted city. “Sullaluna is a corner of Italy in the Greenwich Village, not only because of the Italian food and wine, or the great book selections that can be found here. It’s much more than that; it’s a matter of conviviality and cultural habits,” he said. “It’s quite common in our country to have a space where people can discover a new book, have food and drinks, meet new folks and attend a book presentation—all in the same place. This is the precious value of Sullaluna, a unique hub able to combine cultural and entertainment needs in one.”
Rizzi is looking forward to forging deeper bonds with the Italian cultural community of New York City. “We have connections with Italian schools and Italian-language schools, with Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò, with the talented illustrators and designers of Salotto, and with many other groups that have welcomed us warmly and with curiosity, and with whom we can’t wait to collaborate.”
