Agostino Giuntoli
Agostino "Bimbo" Giuntoli | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 22, 1903 Chiesina Uzzanese, Pistoia, Tuscany, Italy |
| Died | July 25, 1992 (aged 88) San Francisco, California, US |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Nightclub owner |
| Known for | Bimbo's 365 Club |
Agostino "Bimbo" Giuntoli (September 22, 1903 – July 25, 1992) was an Italian-born American nightclub owner and entrepreneur.
Early life
[edit]Giuntoli was born and raised in Chiesina Uzzanese, Pistoia, Tuscany, Italy. In 1922, aged 19, he emigrated to San Francisco, arriving with just $2.[1] He worked as a janitor at the Palace Hotel and then as a cook nearby, where Monk Young, his boss, was unable to pronounce his name, and called him bimbo instead (Italian for "boy"), and the nickname stuck.[2][3]
Bimbo's 365 Club
[edit]
In 1931, the 365 Club, 365 Market Street, was opened as a speakeasy and after-hours gambling club, owned by Young and managed by Giuntoli. It soon became the most popular illicit drinking establishment in town. Musical artists and dancers showcased their work, including a young Rita Hayworth dancing in the chorus line. An optical illusion achieved by mirrors made the large fish tank above the bar appear to have a nude woman swimming in it. Bar patrons marveled at Dolfina, "the Girl in the Fishbowl".[3]
In 1936, he employed Victor Rosellini, his wife's younger brother, in front of house. Rosellini went on to run several restaurants in Seattle, and later became president of the National Restaurant Association.[4]
In 1943, Giuntoli became a naturalized US citizen. In 1950 or 1951, Giuntoli, by that time sole owner of the 365 Club, purchased 1025 Columbus Avenue and moved his club there.[2]
As of 2014, the club is still there, owned and run by his grandson, Michael Cerchiai, who celebrated his eight birthday there with a Batman-themed cake, while Smokey Robinson played live.[5][6]
Personal life
[edit]In 1928, Giuntoli married Emilia Rosellini (December 26, 1908, Tacoma, WA – November 2, 1989, San Francisco), and they had two daughters:
- Diana Isola Cerchiai (born March 18, 1929, San Jose). She has 5 children.
- Yvonne Fine Sangiacomo (born February 11, 1932, San Francisco). Her husband, Angelo Sangiacomo (1924-2015), was a real estate developer, and together they owned about 50 apartment buildings in San Francisco.[7] Their seven children all attended L'Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires in San Francisco.[8]
Giuntoli died in San Francisco on July 25, 1992. He was survived by his two daughters, 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "A. Giuntoli; Ran Bimbo's 365 Club". LA Times. 30 July 1992. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
- ^ a b Catherine A. Accardi (2010). San Francisco's North Beach and Telegraph Hill. Arcadia Publishing. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7385-8158-3.
- ^ a b "Bimbo's 365 Club". SFgate. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
- ^ Ko, Michael (11 January 2003). "Seattle restaurant legend Victor Rosellini dies at 87". Seattle Times. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
- ^ "The Legendary Brio of Bimbo's 365 Club - 7x7 Bay Area". 7x7.com. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ "Bimbo's 365 Club » Private Events". bimbos365club.com. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ "Trinity Management". Dontevictjustin. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
- ^ http://www.bal-de-paris.org/histoire.html[permanent dead link]