By Michael Coughlin Jr.

Caffè dello Sport, a family-run cafe and Italian bar in the North End that has been in business for 35 years, plans to open a second location on Saratoga Street to bring a little taste of Italy to East Boston.

Mivan Spencer, who took over running the business about eight years ago, noted that the goal when his grandfather, Angelo, started it was to bring a little taste of Italy to the area.

“At the time, there wasn’t a lot of Italian product; it was new for a lot of people. So, he was importing products from pastry and novelty items for the holidays and obviously coffee, espresso,” said Spencer.

While these products are now more accessible, he says his grandfather’s goal is still kept in mind through the goods offered at the location, such as espressos, Italian pastries, gelato, and more.

Moreover, Caffè dello Sport, since it opened, has been a place for folks to gather and watch Italian soccer, and even now, Spencer says they get a good crowd at their North End location to watch European soccer.

Spencer indicated that the business’s East Boston plans include opening a location at 973 Saratoga Street, next to the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, sometime in the fall.

“For years, I’ve been saying I feel like this end of East Boston and Orient Heights could use a coffee shop,” he said.

“I know there’s Dunkin’, there’s Starbucks up on the highway, but I think something a little bit more unique and more local, locally owned, is something that could do well.”

Spencer says the plan is to have about 70% of the menu from the North End location at this new location.

“I am going to explore more flavored coffees and flavored iced coffees and hot coffees, a little bit more on the breakfast sandwich and lunch, maybe some panini,” said Spencer.

While the North End location sells beer, wine, and cordials, Spencer noted that those would not be offered immediately in East Boston but might be in the future.

“This is going to be more coffee house than it is, you know, European bar,” he said.

For Spencer, opening a location in East Boston has extra meaning as he has strong ties to the neighborhood.

Not only does Spencer have ties to local establishments like Pazza on Porter and Next Door Speakeasy & Raw Bar, but he was also born, raised, and still lives in East Boston.

“For me, it means a lot because my grandfather started this business, and he passed away about a year and a half ago. He lived in the North End, so he was there every single day, so I know it would make him proud to see that I’m expanding a little bit,” said Spencer.

“I’m from East Boston, my dad was from East Boston — I’m just happy to be able to share what we do in the North End in East Boston.”

Regarding the process of bringing a Caffè dello Sport location to the neighborhood, Spencer mentioned he has pulled permits and met with an architect, noting the build-out would not be long.

“It’s nothing structural; it’s mostly just building a bar and buying some equipment,” he said.

Moreover, Spencer said the property is already zoned as a cafe, and he is waiting to hear from the city regarding whether he will have to meet with the neighborhood — something he said he would be happy to do.

It should be noted that the Mayor’s Press Office responded to an inquiry about the process and the property’s zoning status, stating, “The property is zoned for mixed-use (allowing small and large restaurants). Providing the application meets all of the as-of-right requirements, the building permit would not require community meetings.”

To learn more about Caffè dello Sport, visit its website at https://www.caffedellosport.net/.

“We love being a local spot where people can feel comfortable to come hang out, have a coffee, meet up with friends and that’s what we want to bring to East Boston,” said Spencer.