by MK
Every Saturday we’re spotlighting remarkable local females who could change the way we look at the world. This Saturday is Roberta Erario’s turn, a former gymnast turned renowned bar owner in San Vito neighborhood of Trieste.
Tell us a little about yourself. Were you born in Trieste?
Yes, I was born in Trieste 50 years ago. I graduated from Carducci Insitute with plans of becoming a gymnastics teacher. I have always been passionate about gymnastics and I was pretty good at it. After graduating from high school I wanted to go to Urbino (in the Marche region) to study more but my mom didn’t want to let me go at only 17 so I ended up staying in Trieste and working at my family’s bar.
Did you ever regret this decision?
Yes and no. Gymnastics was my biggest passion but I have two beautiful teenage kids now, so life has given me a lot here in Trieste.
Tell us a little about Bar Neri?
Neri is ours since December 1961. Back then it was the only socializing point of the whole neighborhood, a mecca for everyone living in our rione. People would sit outside until 4 am, playing chess and checkers. My dad would make delicious granitas in the summertime… Those were some grand times.
Beautiful.
As years went on, and things started changing so did we. We are still the center of the neighborhood, I believe, but of course we’re no longer the only bar.
How important is a coffee break for Triestini?
Una pausa caffe, a break for a coffee is essential for most Triestini but also Italians in general. It’s a quick break in the routine, a relaxation, a breather so to say between all of the “to dos” of the day.
So true.
In Italy, just like in Trieste, the coffee shops are the places where business is done, love is born, secretes are told… These are the places where you’ll listen to everything from sports to the latest political news. I’ve seen many generations change in front of my eyes. I love this job.
What’s in the future?
Continuous evolution. You can’t refuse change, you have to accept it and go with it. I think this philosophy is why Bar Neri is still so popular today.
Bar Neri is located in via Carlo Combi, 18
