Fabbrizio sweeps the manila terrazzo floors of the café preparing for the day's traffic. The polished steel counter reflects the morning sun beaming through the window across the corner table in front of it. Sitting around the table are three men, all regulars, enjoying a clear view of one of the cobblestone streets off of the piazza. Their skin is the color of the café macchiati that sit steaming in front of them. The men's symphony of broad vowels and "rolling r's," deftly conducted by sweeping hand gestures, impart a grand importance to the stories that they are sharing--all punctuated by a percussive clanging of spoons against cups, the banging of a basket of coffee grounds, and the echoing chuckle of the maestra responsible for this café concerto. The barista is Maria Marina Tuzza, also known as Mimmi to her closest customers. Her clear-framed glasses with purple lenses flash her warm and friendly nature, but disguise her analytical gaze.

"Since I have worked in the bar, I have become a psychologist," Mimmi comments.

She prides herself on her intuitive ability to read people's personalities. Mimmi is very familiar with many of the Cagliesi and it is her knowledge of their personal histories and their place in the community that feeds her insights.

A woman saunters into the café. Her voice sings out her order in a raspy tenor: "cappucino con zucchero." The selection and her distinctive delivery of the order causes Mimmi's head to perk up: another regular, another friend. Mimmi begins to talk to her. A quick "Ciao" is followed by some small talk and stirred up with a laugh. The regulars that fill Caffè del Commercio every day are all friend-customers.

People stop in before work for a quick sip as well as an update on the lives of the people in the café. Retired locals linger over café macchiati and latti. They indulge in sweet pastries, called pastas. Mimmi spots some of her regulars coming across the piazza and has their drinks hot and ready when they enter. Even in the summer months, when there is an influx of visitors, Mimmi records her new customers' preferences so she can continue her tradition of excellence in personal service and congeniality. Mimmi likes to sit and chat with all of her customers but especially with these tourists and visitors. Despite language barriers she manages to include them in the extended family of her clientele. Mimmi's sociability has been passed on to her sons Fabbrizio Bartoli and Pier Giorgio Bartoli, the owners of the café.

Mimmi covers the early morning shifts and is relieved by Fabbrizio or Pier Giorgio in the afternoon into the late evening. The brothers' afternoon and evening shifts are in a constant rotation, but the same engaging atmosphere remains. Fabbrizio and Pier Giorgio, or "Bicio" and "Dodo" as referred to by the regulars, keep a younger and livelier evening crowd entertained. A crisp summer evening in Cagli is always warmed up by the energy and passion that Fabbrizio and Pier Giorgio bring to the café. Fabbrizio's bellows are heard across the piazza, attracting outsiders to join the never-ending party at the bar. Pier Giorgio is younger and more reserved than Fabbrizio,but his charming cheek-to-cheek smile, crystal blue eyes, and dedication to the bar and his customers is hard to ignore.

At 3 a.m. the music is lowered and the Bartoli brothers take on the task of clearing out the bar. The fun that has kept their customers loyal and entertained all evening also has a negative side. No one wants to leave. The shutters soon begin to slide to a close and another day at the Caffè del Commercio has drawn to an end. The crowd shuffles outside and begins to fade, despite their desires to stay. Tomorrow is another day, a new production, and in a few hours the café's action will begin again.