Nothing more permanent in Melbourne’s CBD than Pellegrini’s and Sisto Malaspina

HARDLY anything in central Melbourne could seem more permanent than Pellegrini’s and co-owner Sisto Malaspina. He was always friendly, happy to have a chat and talk about things like the history of Melbourne’s coffee culture. Everybody knew Sisto, and he knew everybody. LEAVE YOUR TRIBUTE HERE.

Sisto Malaspina (right) and his business partner Nino Pangrazio at their cafe Pellegrini's on Bourke St.

HARDLY anything in central Melbourne could seem more permanent than Pellegrini’s.

The iconic cafe and restaurant has stood at the top of Bourke St since the 1950s, and I’m pretty sure the place has changed little since then.

My mother Birute loved going there as a young post-war migrant from Europe because the coffee was so good.

“It was the only place that had good coffee in Melbourne at the time,” she remembered.

“It was nice to meet people there, it was the place to be.”

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Sisto (right) and his partner Nino had been icons of Melbourne coffee scene since buying Pellegrini’s in the 1970s.

A tribute left in the window at Pellegrini's on Bourke St.

Sisto, il mio cuore si spezza ... I’ve been going to Pellegrini’s since 1987. Never been to Melbourne without dropping in on my man Sisto . South Sydney stickers on the wall and caps on display.
My sweet loyal friend, stabbed in the street by a mad man.
Cosí triste. pic.twitter.com/kfj32smdOz

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) November 10, 2018

LEAVE A TRIBUTE TO SISTO MALASPINA BELOW

I got to know Pellegrini’s much later, around the time that Sisto Malaspina and his partner bought the business in the mid-1970s.

Sisto, who was murdered in yesterday’s terror attack, was always friendly, happy to have a chat and talk about things like the history of Melbourne’s coffee culture.

Everybody knew Sisto, and he knew everybody.

Business people, lawyers, politicians, even the odd lord mayor, loved to come in for a coffee in casual surroundings — it was so authentic you could have been in Rome.

Just a few weeks ago I popped in for a quick flat white and saw Sisto chatting amiably to customers at the back of the cafe.

I remember thinking it was good that he was still there — a comforting fixture in a rapidly changing city.

Now he is gone.

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MOURNERS are remembering Sisto Malaspina, the Melbourne coffee pioneer slain in yesterday’s Bourke St terror attack, as a “beautiful” “gentleman” who was the “godfather of Melbourne coffee”.

Mr Malaspina, who ran Pellegrini’s espresso coffee bar on Bourke St, is believed to have been killed after he went to the aid of the attacker after his car blew up.

Friend Tim Noble told the Sunday Herald Sun:

“I’m bereft at this news and in total shock. Sisto was a great friend of mine for many, many years.

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“A warm, passionate Italian who was also a proudly devoted Australian and Melbournian ever since he emigrated to here over fifty years ago.

“A tragic loss not only to his family and hundreds of friends but to the cultural life of Melbourne as a whole.”

Tributes are flowing on social media as Melburnians grieve the loss of a Melbourne icon.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he has “been visiting Pellegrini’s since school” and was shocked by the news of his death.

Shocking, unreal and heartbreaking. I have been visiting Pellegrini’s since school. I just saw Sisto on Monday morning. He insisted I try a slice of his almond cake. He’s a Melbourne icon and a true gentleman. Impossible to imagine the devastation for his family and staff. https://t.co/CPziguJlpz

— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) November 10, 2018

Icon & legend. My friend Sisto. Always a friendly smile & a chat about how the bombers were traveling. Thank you for everything you gave to Melbourne. You were loved by all and will be missed.

— Nick Giannopoulos (@NikGiannopoulos) November 10, 2018

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Pellegrini’s patron Paul Bernadou described Sisto Malaspina as “the loveliest bloke”.

“Hadn’t been to Pellegrini’s much in recent years, but dropped in each time I visited Melbourne. Often dropped in in 70s and 80s.

“The loveliest bloke. So typical of him - going to someone’s aid.”

Sandie Foster told the Sunday Herald Sun she was “stunned”.

“Stunned and heartbroken to a truly beautiful man, - a family friend for many years, always happy and devoted to his family. Ciao Sisto.”

Vale Sisto Malaspina. You were Melbourne for me. You would yell and scream and be so beautiful whenever I came in since I was 14 and claimed Aurora as your grandchild. I can’t describe how upset I am for the loss of someone so lovely. pic.twitter.com/9uDjAagup7

— Amy Gray (@_AmyGray_) 10 November 2018

If you eat Italian food in Melbourne chances are you’ve met Sisto Malaspina, the man behind the counter at Pellegrinis for almost half a century.

Addio to a brave and wonderful Melburnian. Murdered protecting others on the street he loved.

— Tully Fletcher 🙋🏼‍♂️ (@TullyFletcher) 10 November 2018

Melburnian Catherine Miller told the Sunday Herald Sun it was a “tragic day” for Melbourne.

“Absolutely devastated and gutted to learn about Sisto.

“A tragic day for Sisto’s family, friends, Pellegrinis, Melbourne and for the entire country. “Pellegrinis was where I was taken to enjoy my first ever taste of Italian food as a small child. That stayed with me forever, representing everything that is wonderful about Melbourne’s history, cuisine, culture and story.

“My deepest condolences and love to Sisto’s family and all at Pellegrini’s.”

Vale Sisto Malaspina.

The godfather of Melbourne coffee. The original barista.@cityofmelbourne will not be the same. pic.twitter.com/WpmRSa9KiL

— Nicholas Reece (@Nicholas_Reece) 10 November 2018

Facebook user Michelle Summerhill wrote: “This is so sad. Sisto is a Melbourne icon and such a welcoming face at Pellegrini’s.”

Sheree Nickel wrote he was “such a beautiful man”, while Shelly Hynes remembered a gentleman she’s known “since I was a child visiting in the city.”

“May he rest in peace.”

Shaunie O’Connor Hollerhead shared her sorrow.

“Think I’m going to be sick, rest in peace Sisto. I’ll never forget your smile and open heart.”

A sign on the door says “due to an incident Pellegrinis will be closed until Monday the 12th”.

Floral tributes have been placed in the store window and police are guarding the front of the store.

Police interviewed staff members last night about the incident.

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