After nine months of planning, imagining, dreaming, arguing, drafting, negotiating, ordering, projecting and anything but sleeping, it is in sight. The Via Umbria Holiday Pop Up store is about to open its doors.

Wednesday saw us move two warehouses of our treasured ceramics, housewares, books, jewelry and linens into 1525 Wisconsin Ave. And moving day was watched over by more than just us. The CBS Evening News (Saturday edition) caught wind that we were using Two Marines Moving company, a veteran-owned and operated moving company to handle our move in, and decided to cover the move. Watch for the story next Saturday on CBS.  You might recognize the store and us!

On Friday we were washed over by another wave as our container from Italy, having left port only a few weeks earlier, arrived filled with fresh foods, new ceramic patterns, kitchen ware and a whole host of new products that will give Via Umbria its own identity, unique and separate from Bella Italia.  With this move we have a Twitter @viaumbriadc, and Instagram @viaumbria — be in touch!

This week arrives with a few sore muscles and our space filled with huge boxes stuffed with goods just waiting to be unloaded, un-packed, and labeled and arranged on shelves.

Tomorrow night, we will be opening our doors to the public, hosting our monthly book club in this space for the first time. Please come preview the store with us, and bring your friends (even if they have not read the book!).

But for today, we take a deep breath and move forward with the unpacking. Just a few moments ago Sandy, who is helping us unpack and move in, discovered a heavenly scented box of truffle salt! It is the delight of opening boxes like this that keeps us moving forward and the scents like truffle salt that remind us of our beloved Italy.

On Saturday (speriamo bene!) we will be ready to open our doors at noon for our first open house. We hope you will come say hello and experience our Holiday Pop Up store in its first public moments.

Ci vediamo!
Bill and Suzy