Torrefazione Mike

via Bertola Roveda, 14 - 15121 Alessandria (AL)
Tel. +39 0131 222435
E-mail: info@caffemike.it
Website: caffemike.it

The history of Torrefazione Mike, today on via Ignazio Bertola Roveda 14, is
a major example of successful entrepreneurship. The protagonist is Mario Castagnotto. In
1956, he is a boy who repairs the Faema coffee machines in a workshop on via Gramsci. At work in the various bars, he sees people watching ‘Lascia e raddoppia’ by Mike Bongiorno on TV: he decides that if he were ever able to make his own coffee he would call it Mike, convinced that the name would bring him good luck and popularity.
He installs his first 20 kg wood-powered roasting machine in the
back of his sister’s grocery-store on Corso Virginia Marini. 1959 is the year of change; he opens his business on Corso Roma 19 with a roasting machine just a little bit larger than the previous one, entrusted to his wife’s father, Oreste, who leaves his works as a railway worker to help him. The blends which he skillfully creates are tasted in his business thanks to a Faema machine or sold loose, in grains or
ground.
Caffè Mike is appreciated immediately by bars and restaurants of the city for its quality while its name contributes to its popularity.
In 1956, the store is moved to its current location. In 1977, the first official award arrives with Premio Città di Alessandria. The success has become national but the connection with Alessandria remains strong, so much that in 1984 Mario creates a blend dedicated to the city and its coat of arms, by kind concession of the Municipality, is still found on all the packaging. On 2 June 1993 he receives the honor of “Cavaliere del lavoro” from the president of the Republic Luigi Scalfaro.
While the blends sold are strictly those created by its founder (who died in 2010) continuous innovations are implemented on the systems maintaining the quality standards high and allowing them to achieve the best in preparation and packaging. This leads in the best possible way to the 60-year celebrations, immortalized by a magnificent logo designed by Riccardo Guasco.