BIORDI ART IMPORTS NEWS & PRESS

Biordi Art Imports has been San Francisco's source for authentic, hand-painted Italian ceramics since 1946 — eighty years of direct relationships with artisan workshops across Italy, from Deruta to Palermo to Murano. This page gathers our official recognitions, milestones, and press coverage.

Recognition & Awards

San Francisco Legacy Business — Biordi Art Imports is a designated San Francisco Legacy Business (Registry #LBR-2020-21-029), a recognition reserved for longstanding businesses that have made a significant contribution to the city's history and identity.

Biordi Art Imports Day — In 2021, the City of San Francisco declared May 1 "Biordi Art Imports Day" in honor of the store's 75 years of service to the community.

Best Overall Retailer — Voted Best Overall Retailer in the SF Bay Guardian "Best of the Bay" reader's poll for five consecutive years, including the 2021 "Best Overall Store" award from 48 Hills.

Milestones

1946 — Emilio Biordi, originally from Castelli in Abruzzo — one of Italy's most celebrated historic ceramic towns — founds Biordi Art Imports in San Francisco's North Beach.

2020 — Biordi is added to the San Francisco Legacy Business Registry.

2021 — The City of San Francisco proclaims May 1 "Biordi Art Imports Day."

2026 — Biordi celebrates 80 years of importing authentic Italian ceramics.

What Makes Biordi Different

Every piece at Biordi is hand-painted in Italy by named artisan workshops the store has worked with directly for decades — including FIMA of Deruta, Eugenio Ricciarelli, Pia Formato, Susanna DeSimone of Palermo, Geribi, Bucci Ceramiche, and the Murano glass house Salviati (founded 1859). Several lines are exclusive to Biordi: the Raffaellesco Rosso pattern by Pia Formato, produced by no other Deruta workshop; the Contrade of Siena collection, available only at Biordi and the Staccioli workshop in Siena's Piazza del Campo; and Il Mio Tavolo, the stoneware line designed by Chef Dena Marino and handcrafted by Bucci Ceramiche.

Fast Facts for Media

Founded: 1946
Founder: Emilio Biordi, from Castelli, Abruzzo
Location: North Beach, San Francisco
Specialty: Authentic hand-painted Italian majolica, imported directly from artisan workshops in Italy
Legacy Business Registry: #LBR-2020-21-029
Biordi Art Imports Day: May 1 (proclaimed by the City of San Francisco, 2021)

Media Inquiries

For interviews, images, or story inquiries, contact Biordi Art Imports at (415) 392-8096 or customerservice@biordi.com.

As Seen In

Conde Nast Chairish House & Garden Italifornian KevsBest File:Condé Nast Traveler logo.png - Wikimedia Commons La Cucina Italiana Best of the Bay 2021