Giacomo Timbro, from Carrara, 48 years old, is the owner of Bon Pro, in Marina di Carrara, the first restaurant in the nightlife district, built on the ruins of an old house. Since 2015 he has been married to Arianna Bianchi. In 2023, he took over, the Re Bacco restaurant, in Carrara. In his professional career, he has dealt with event organization, becoming a real point of reference in the nightlife sector. In his CV he also has collaborations with cult venues in Versilia such as Capannina and Twiga. In September 2023, he was responsible for managing the entire food & beverage part of Francesco Gabbani’s concert in Marina di Carrara. Vice president of Fipe, the trade association’s trade union for public establishments, he is the contact person for Confcommercio for the Carrara area. The mascot of his premises is his dog Brioche. La Gazzetta di Massa Carrara met him for an exclusive interview.
How did your adventure in catering begin?
I come from a family of entrepreneurs: the passion was passed on to me by my mother, with whom I have a special relationship. I started investing in clubs in 1995 and am still full of enthusiasm today. Taking care of public relations and organizing events was important for my professional training.
In 2020, the economic crisis due to the pandemic has put many companies and workers in crisis. In your opinion, what did the government do wrong?
After the pandemic, everything was more complicated: entrepreneurs were left alone, with little help, many workers lost their jobs. It was necessary to protect these categories. I find it incredible that they gave out the citizen’s income, instead of safeguarding the sector: in that way they created more unemployed people and caused the closure of many companies. We have risen again, even in such an unstable and unpredictable context: businesses and entrepreneurs have confirmed themselves as a vital component of society. If companies work, the economy works, if the economy works, wealth and well-being are generated for the entire community. This is the essence of that authentic social function of the company which, unfortunately, is not recognized as it deserves.
You invested in Carrara by buying some assets, instead of doing so in safer situations. Why?
I believe in the territory where I was born. I understood it about nine years ago: the center of Marina di Carrara was underdeveloped, almost deserted, but today it is an important reality. People of all ages spend their time in clubs, walking around the shops, spending time with relatives and friends. This also attracts tourism. Seeing all this fills me with happiness. Thanks also to other courageous entrepreneurs, we have created well-being for the entire community. As far as Carrara is concerned, we need to invest in art and culture: we have nothing to envy anyone.
Its venues: Bon Pro’ in Marina di Carrara and ReBacco in Carrara, are completely different…
They are opposites. The Bon Pro, in the center of Marina di Carrara, is a point of reference for everyone, aged nine and up. It was the first place opened, the one where the nightlife began, a place to eat and create inclusion. Over the years we have made further improvements. You can have lunch, an aperitif, dinner, after dinner is full of events. Our products are of quality, with prices accessible to all. ReBacco is a beautiful structure, almost a museum, in the center of Carrara, with an incredible history. Since I took over the business, it has been completely overhauled. The customer target is medium-high for a truly unique context, where you can eat excellent products, find yourself immersed in a crazy location, with refined architecture, ideal for ceremonies and artistic events, for people who love art . Come and visit us, our collaborators are ready to welcome you.
You are vice president of Fipe di Carrara, the trade association’s trade union for public establishments and the contact person for Confcommercio for the Carrara area. What are your priorities?
Making a strong mark in enhancing Carrara art and culture, commerce in Avenza, and the seaside area with tourism and nightlife. I am present in the area to create events and to be a point of reference for everyone, without prejudice.
What are the most important rules to observe when preserving food?
I am very demanding: my collaborators respect a well-defined working method, using daily tables. For storage in refrigerators, they draw up an inventory of the products in the warehouse and check for any expiration dates. With my wife Arianna, we take care of the shopping, checking the labeling and origin of the food.
What behaviors should your employee not commit?
I do not tolerate lack of education and lack of personal hygiene. Respect is fundamental, towards customers, owners and colleagues. For me, they are not employees, but collaborators, especially family members.
Some newspapers published her appeal: “I’m looking for two waitresses, it’s important that they’re cute and smiling.” What did he mean?
I would like to point out that I have never made an evaluation on aesthetics, but on cuteness, that is, the kind and polite ways in relationships with people, highlighting the smile, I think it is absolutely fundamental. No one would like to be faced with a rude and gloomy person.
Let’s talk about nightlife: what should politics do?
The problem of baby gangs is a national phenomenon, not just in Carrara. In the past, an excellent tool was used: the urban daspo. It is not an activity that should be penalized, but the individual. It is a question of education: the family must intervene in the specific case. Nightlife is positive for the common good and the economic stability of a territory.
You were responsible for managing the Food $ Beverage for Francesco Gabbani’s concert. A memory of her?
Organizing such a beautiful event was truly exciting and crazy. The possibility was created for over 30 people from the area to work. It was a personal challenge won. I have known Francesco since I was a boy, our families are also friends.
You are also a fan of Harry Davinson…
I have been riding a motorbike for over 20 years: the freedom, the wind on my face, the kilometers shared with friends, fill me with happiness. I am a member of an Apuana bikers association, made up of over 100 people, all Apuans. Let’s say that riding a motorbike is a relief valve, to recharge your strength.
You shared your experience as an entrepreneur with your wife Arianna Bianchi. How does your collaboration work?
I owe it to her if I managed to fulfill myself at work and as a man: Arianna is certainly among the most important people in my life, together with my family. My wife is always at the forefront of our activities, she is present until late at night, she is a point of reference for our collaborators and customers, I owe her a lot. We are not owners who stay at home, but always present. Let’s say we complement each other, I’m lucky.
