Overview
If you've been keeping your ear to the ground recently — or to ABC radio — you might have heard one of the most positive bits of news to hit Melbourne in recent times: the Franco Cozzo store in Brunswick is set to reopen. With the late, great Franco's daughter, Alessia, calling in to reveal the news, we reached out to get the scoop on what to expect.
While Alessia was keen to keep the major details under wraps, so as not to ruin the surprise, she was happy to report the family would be hosting a grand reopening event this July. That means you won't have to wait long to get your hands on Cozzo's megalo, megalo, megalo baroque- and rococo-inspired furniture for your own space.
Yet Alessia and her sisters are excited to build upon her father's iconic brand. "We're going to be importing some modern furniture as well — obviously all from Italy because that's where our suppliers are and that's what we're known for. We're not entirely sure when that will be happening yet, but we'll definitely be doing it."
While Franco Cozzo Brunswick — or Bruns-a-wick, as Franco would famously say — shut during COVID times, the much-loved shopfront remains fully under the Cozzo family's ownership. Despite being a little dusty with the windows blacked out, Alessia says work has been underway behind the scenes to make the building shine again, not unlike a gilded armchair.
"It's an old building — the roof upstairs on the second level was not coping very well, so we had to reinforce that. Then downstairs, the same thing was happening, so we've been completing some structural work on the building," says Alessia. "I don't want to spoil the opening, but there will be a new section dedicated to Dad — Franco Cozzo."
For those not around to recall the heyday of Franco Cozzo, the Italian-Australian salesman became a local legend for his jubilant television ads — delivered in English, Italian and Greek, no less — and infectious passion for OTT furniture. Cozzo, who migrated to Australia from Sicily in the 1950s, proved the ultimate immigrant success story and is now an icon of both the Footscray and Brunswick communities.
Reflecting on her father's enduring icon status, Alessia admits she's still slightly surprised by the public fascination, but loves seeing Franco's charisma and legacy resonate with a whole new generation. "People are just constantly messaging and calling," she explains. "It's a constant show, which I think is amazing. It just means Dad's legacy is living on through others. I always knew that Dad was someone who people admired. But seeing it — wow!"
Looking ahead to the next chapter of the Franco Cozzo furniture business, Alessia is joined by her sisters Lisa, Angela and Diana. Plus, their mother, Assunta, is also helping in the background. "It's my sisters and I that are carrying on his legacy — now we know how he felt and why he was so happy to continue. If anything, it's just really inspiring and an honour."
Franco Cozzo Brunswick is expected to reopen in July at 466 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. Head to Instagram for more information.
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Images: iStock/Facebook.