I Camisa & Son, the much-loved Italian deli in Soho, has announced it will close on August 3, after more than 60 years of trading on Old Compton Street.
The deli, which has existed in one form or another since 1929, broke the news on its website, with a statement reading: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of I Camisa & Son on Old Compton Street.
“Due to the significant reduction in office workers following the pandemic, the economics of running this store at this location are no longer viable. Despite the support of our landlord, we are unable to continue operating here. The name of I Camisa will remain with us, and we are exploring the possibility of relocating the business to a different location in the near future.”
The shop almost shut in 2022 but was saved after negotiations with the landlord Shaftesbury Capital, in part prompted by an online petition which gained almost 6,000 signatures. At the time, the owners told the Code Hospitality bulletin: “We cannot run the business now. It’s very sad. It’s a historic brand and we love it, but everything is so difficult. We don’t want to close it down, but in the end it’s pointless to carry on because we’re losing too much.”
I Camisa & Son, which is no longer owned by the Camisa family, can trace its beginnings back to Fratelli Camisa, which was opened by brothers Ennio and Isidoro Camisa in 1929 at a different address. Having closed during the war, in 1948, the brothers — no longer detained by the government — opened again on Berwick Street, before in 1961 parting ways. Isidoro, the I in I Camisa, opened the deli as it stands today in 1961. The shop’s produce proved so popular that it soon offered a mail order service, and in 2008 began to sell online. The Camisa family sold the business in 2014.
While the closure will no doubt be met with sadness by Londoners, the deli’s goods will remain available to purchase at alivini.com.
The capital does, however, boast a number of other terrific delicatessens, including Terroni, Panzer’s and Paul Rothe & Son. For a complete guide to London’s best, head to this page.
