Libreria Galla

Galla is the surname of a booksellers' family in Vicenza, Italy.
Giovanni Galla opened (the first) Libreria Galla in 1880. Today, in Vicenza, Galla means bookstore.

As you can see in the map above Galla owns five stores in the city centre:

Galla Libreria _ the main store
Galla Girapagina _ 0-16 specialized bookstore
Galla Duemila _ specialized academic bookstore
Galla Caffè _ a coffee shop part of Galla Libreria but identified as the reference point for events and such
Galla Cartoleria _ stationery store

and one store outside the city: Galla Liberalibro.

Galla is also an editor.

Galla's website is well done: it manages to describe a clear image of Galla's history and stores. It reports events, and it offers services.
The life is hard for other booksellers in Vicenza. Even big chains are challenged by Galla.
Galla managed to become an institution for its own city.
I found this case interesting for two features:

_ the authority of Galla, capable to fight the authority of big chains like Feltrinelli and Mondadori. Galla's authority is made by its age, its birthplace and lively relationships that Galla constantly keeps with the local community.
_ the 'family' of Galla stores as part of its strength.

Alberto Galla, current manager, wrote a book with Giovanni Peresson (AIE) on guidelines for who wish to open a bookstore .