Like many people who come to the United States, Rita and Franceso "Frankie" Molin arrived in America with a dream. They wanted to share the authentic cuisine of their native Venice, Italy, with those who may not have otherwise been exposed.

The Molins opened La Gastronomia in downtown Grass Valley in 2014, offering a selection of meats, cheeses, sandwiches, pizzas and pastas. They enjoyed their location on the corner of East Main and South Auburn streets but eventually decided they wanted a bigger spot and one that might be more affordable.