NILES — Desyréé Alberganti said the best moment she had turning her vision of an Italian bakery and café into a reality was when she stepped through the decades-old doors of 104 N. Third St. in Niles.

She saw the brick walls inside and the history they housed, and she saw potential. She said she still gets goosebumps.

The old building will be the site of her business, Gabrizio Italian Café and Bakery, which opens 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday in a grand opening celebration.

“I cannot express to you how excited we are to open on Sunday,” Alberganti said.

Gabrizio will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Monday, offering signature coffees, coffee grounds, non-caffeinated beverages, pastries, sandwiches and cakes. Some menu items accommodate for allergies, food intolerances and dietary choices.

A feeling of fate may have helped Alberganti make the decision to open her own bakery and café.

Gabrizio’s neighbor is the event center Grand LV. Alberganti realized she could take the first word of her former place of work, the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, and the initials of her former residence, Las Vegas, to make the word “Grand LV.”

Alberganti said she truly chose the site out of other Michiana locations, however, because of she fell in love with both the building and the city.

“I feel like this town has a lot of potential,” she said. “It’s just that we have to help them.”

Alberganti said her venture into the old building is a new concept.

“It’s kind of a mix of new trends and very traditional Italian roots,” she said.

Not only is the building’s old infrastructure intermixed with new floral décor, seating areas and counterspace, the blending of new and old is in Alberganti’s baking and brewing.

The Granger resident had previously spent 30 years as a Venetian hotel pastry chef in Las Vegas.

“I feel like I grew up in the kitchen,” she said with a chuckle.

Each recipe at Gabrizio is her own, and each has an inspiration behind it.

Take the latte, Bonaire Moka Joy. While following a traditional brewing recipe, its key ingredients — coconut, almond clusters and chocolate ganache — are inspired by the candy bar Almond Joy.

The Goloso is another example. It is a “warmwich,” a panini-esque dessert that has marshmallows and hazelnut praline, two of her children’s favorite foods.

Alberganti’s children are also the inspiration behind the restaurant’s name. She took the first part of her daughter, Gabriella’s name and the last part of her son Fabrizio’s name to create the word “Gabrizio.”

Gabriella, Fabrizio and their father are the prime motivations behind Alberganti’s move to open her own bakery and café. She said it is for them.

Jessica Toppel, an employee at Gabrizio and a friend of Alberganti’s, said that Alberganti’s kindness is apparent through the love for both her family and her business.

“She is like the warmest, most friendliest person I’ve ever met — very giving and generous,” said Toppel, of Granger. “A wonderful family. I’ve only known her for a short time, but we hang out a lot.”

Alberganti said she wants her customers to feel at home, as if they are part of the Gabrizio family.

“We want this to be a nice environment for people to come and hang out, relax, have fun and forget all the issues and problems they have once they go beyond those doors,” she said.

Gabrizio’s grand opening will be marked with excitement, happiness and balloons, Alberganti said. All of the public is welcome.

 

Correction: 1:06 p.m., Sept. 12: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the times Gabrizio is open. It is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Monday. Leader Publications is happy to correct any errors.