The oldest restaurant in downtown Greenville is moving to the West End after September.
For the last 40 years, Ristorante Bergamo has been a staple of the downtown landscape. It is currently located at the corner of Coffee and North Main streets but will be moving to 942 S. Main St., across the street from Fluor Field. The space was previously occupied by the Crazy Mason.
Gian Pietro and Kathleen Ferro bought Ristorante Bergamo from the original owner in October 2020. The Ferros made the decision to move after their landlord decided to sell the current space. The couple expected the decision but decided against purchasing the building.
Kathleen Ferro estimated their customer base is about half regulars. When considering a new location, Ferro said they sought a larger space. Ristorante Bergamo’s dining room currently seats 50, and the new space will accommodate about 75.
40 years of history
Ristorante Bergamo‘s current location at 100 N. Main St. is a former saloon built in the 1800s. In 1905, the owners rebuilt the saloon into the Bank of Commerce Building, called the Vickers-Cauble building. The styles changed in the 1950s, and the owners covered the building in turquoise metal sheeting in 1958. Courtney Shives bought it in 1980s. He took down the metal and restored it to the current look, with retail on the first floor and condos up top.
The opening of Ristorante Bergamo in 1986 was the start of a new era for Greenville, giving birth to its downtown culinary scene. Nello Gioia, the original chef and owner, made the restaurant a downtown icon. He and Gian Pietro Ferro were both from Bergamo, Italy and were introduced by a mutual friend. Before coming to Greenville, Gian Pietro was a chef in New York for 30 years. He prides himself on cooking authentic northern Italian food.
The restaurant has remained true to its roots. It is one of the few authentic Italian restaurants in the Greenville area.
“Ristorante Bergamo is the oldest restaurant in downtown and it was (opened) right at a time when Greenville was trying to market itself more and became sister cities with Bergamo. They were our first sister city,” said Greenville historian John Nolan.
What’s next
Despite the move, Kathleen Ferro said her customers are happy the restaurant will remain open.
“We actually have quite a few customers on the West End,” she said. “So they’re very excited because now we’ll be even closer.”
The new dining room will offer a chance to watch the chefs cook.
“We’re gonna do kind of an open kitchen concept,” said Ferro. “So there will be regular bar seating but there will also be a chef’s table that will be at the front of the kitchen that people will be able to sit at.”
When the Ferros first moved to Greenville in 2020, they weren’t sure what to expect. Now the restaurant is constantly busy. Kathleen Ferro is excited for the changes in Ristorante Bergamo’s future.
“I think we’ve been incredibly fortunate,” she said. “Greenville has truly embraced my husband’s cooking.”
Ristorante Bergamo will close for a short while as it transitions to the new location.
“Sept. 30 we’re done at 100 North Main. When we reopen at 942 is still kind of TBD,” she said. “I’m hoping for no more than a month.”
Dining and Cooking