Cipriani

The Cipriani story begins not with a grand strategy, but with an act of generosity. In the late 1920s, a Venetian bartender named Giuseppe Cipriani loaned 10,000 lire to a young, broke American named Harry Pickering. Two years later, Pickering returned, repaid the loan, and added an extra 40,000 lire, suggesting Cipriani open his own bar. In 1931, Giuseppe did just that, opening Harry's Bar in Venice. The bar quickly became an institution, famous for inventing classics like the Bellini cocktail and Carpaccio, and attracting a clientele that included Ernest Hemingway and Humphrey Bogart. The family business, now spanning four generations, expanded under the leadership of Giuseppe's son, Arrigo, and later his grandson, also named Giuseppe. The first major international step came in 1985 with the opening of Harry Cipriani in New York City. This move established a playbook for global growth, translating the Venetian philosophy of 'luxury in simplicity' for a cosmopolitan audience. The brand's expansion continued with event venues, clubs, and restaurants in landmark locations like Wall Street and Grand Central Terminal. While the company remains family-owned, it has engaged in significant financial partnerships to fuel its growth. In 2022, the ownership trio of the Casa Cipriani New York, which includes the Cipriani family, secured a $100 million refinancing deal for the property. More recently, in 2023, the company sought to raise over $500 million through a new hospitality fund to develop its Casa Cipriani members' club and luxury residence concepts in key global cities, signaling a strategic focus on high-end, recurring revenue streams beyond traditional dining.