By Nathan Rumohr, The B.C. Catholic
Rosa Bellusci, an Italian immigrant, opened a store in 1966 that "catered to the sacraments." Called Rose's Children's Wear, it was on the part of Hastings Street in Vancouver once dominated by Italians. "In those days there was very little nice clothing for children for Catholic special events," said Maria Mazzocco, Bellusci's daughter. "Her primary focus was little take-me-home outfits for babies being taken home from the hospital." Bellusci, a seamstress, started the store because she saw a need to produce nice children's clothes for special events such as baptisms, confirmations, and weddings. Mazzocco said her mother thought business was important but was more concerned about making nice children's clothes available. Mazzocco operates her mother's store today with her husband Dino under the name La Rinascente Imports. The store still sells children's clothes (branded Rose's Children's Wear), but also carries ladies' wear, linens, dinnerware, and gift bombonieres. The store also contracts itself out for weddings and other special events. Their website is www.larinascente-rosa.com. But sitting on shelves next to hanging blouses and mother-of-the-bride dresses are religious articles such as rosaries, icons, statues, and figurines. "We have always been connected with the Church," Mazzocco said. "The most important part of our life is faith, and you bring that into your business. I wouldn't want a business that didn't have the religious articles." The Bellusci family grew up in East Vancouver and were members of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. Mazzocco said her parents were devout Catholics, and her youngest brother, Father David Bellusci, is a Dominican priest. "My sister has a reputation for being very patient, with customers and with her children," Father Bellusci said. "People are often drawn to her for that." Sometimes Mazzocco's patience comes off as shyness, but Father Bellusci said his sister is just more reserved. "She's very discreet it's not like her to talk about herself a lot," he said. The Church remains important to Mazzocco La Rinascente Imports often assists at fundraisers around the archdiocese. "It helps us and it helps them." She said La Rinascente is a "family-oriented" business that attracts regular customers who often stick around for several hours just to hang out. Father Bellusci noted his sister works at the store for more reasons than just making money. He said Mazzocco would often engage customers in conversation about faith. "She is very spiritual that's what really motivates her." However, Mazzocco noted there are challenges to operating a small business in the "Wal-Mart generation." "It's been a challenge keeping up with what people want," Mazzocco said. "There are more choices people come up with: they want more variety, which I have a lot of, but they will ask for something totally out of the ordinary, and I'm expected to find that." Mazzocco perseveres to keep her mother's legacy alive. "I feel my mother is still with us in this store," she said. Rosa died 10 years ago and Mazzocco's father followed five years later. "Both my parents' presence is still with us, and I think they keep me going." She said she was especially close to her mother, who worked beside and lived beside her for several decades. "We couldn't get any closer," she said.
