How Prada Acquired 197-Year-Old Milan Café Marchesi

Last March, after losing out on acquiring another storied Milan café, Prada found success with a different kind of historic Italian business. On March 14, the Hong Kong-listed luxury group Prada SpA (1913.HK) announced it had acquired an 80% stake in Marchesi Angelo S.r.l., the company behind the 197-year-old café and pastry shop Pasticceria Marchesi. Though the price remains undisclosed, the move signals Prada’s deeper push into blending luxury retail with Italian cultural heritage—starting in the heart of Milan.

Yes, Prada now owns 80% of Pasticceria Marchesi, the café founded in 1824. The remaining 20% stays with the founding family, who will continue running the business under the same management. This acquisition is part of Prada’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Why Prada Wanted Marchesi

Prada’s interest in Marchesi stems from more than just coffee and pastries. The luxury brand aims to elevate the Pasticceria Marchesi brand and weave it into its wider portfolio, which includes fashion labels Prada and Miu Miu. The café sits in the iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a prime luxury retail and cultural site in Milan that Prada has been actively developing as a flagship project. By integrating Marchesi, Prada seeks to enhance the heritage value and customer experience within this historic arcade.

The Café’s Long History

Pasticceria Marchesi was established in 1824, making it one of the oldest pastry shops and cafés in Milan. Today, it is managed by Angelo Giovanni Marchesi and his wife Maria Rita Lacchini. Following the acquisition, Angelo Giovanni Marchesi will retain his role as General Manager of Marchesi Angelo S.r.l., ensuring continuity in the café’s day-to-day operations and traditional approach. The establishment is both a working café and a symbol of Milanese culinary history.

Prada’s Previous Failed Café Bid

This is not Prada’s first attempt to acquire a historic Italian café. In early 2013, Prada tried to buy Pasticceria Confetteria Cova S.r.l., another long-standing Milanese coffeehouse. However, Prada lost out to LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), the global luxury conglomerate. The two parties even went to court over the failed deal. Prada claimed there was a binding agreement based on correspondence with the Faccioli family, the former owners of Cova, arguing that a real estate transaction had effectively taken place. The court ruled against Prada, and Cova remained with LVMH.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pasticceria Marchesi?

Pasticceria Marchesi is a historic café and pastry shop founded in Milan in 1824. It is known for its traditional Italian pastries and coffee, and it operates in the luxury Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade.

Who owns Pasticceria Marchesi now?

Prada SpA owns 80% of Pasticceria Marchesi through its acquisition of Marchesi Angelo S.r.l. The remaining 20% is retained by the founding Marchesi family, who continue to manage the business.

What role does Angelo Giovanni Marchesi play now?

Angelo Giovanni Marchesi remains the General Manager of Marchesi Angelo S.r.l. and continues to run the café’s operations alongside his wife, Maria Rita Lacchini.

Why did Prada want to buy a café?

Prada sees Pasticceria Marchesi as a way to enhance its cultural and retail presence in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The acquisition aligns the historic café with Prada’s luxury brand strategy.

Did Prada try to buy another café before this?

Yes, in 2013 Prada attempted to acquire Pasticceria Confetteria Cova S.r.l. but lost the bid to LVMH. Prada even took legal action, claiming a binding agreement, but the court sided with Cova’s then-owners.

What is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II?

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a historic shopping arcade in Milan, known for hosting luxury brands and cultural landmarks, including Pasticceria Marchesi.

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