Page 15 - Jesolo journal agosto settembre 2021

Vintage | 15

dalle famiglie, ma soprattutto dai ragazzi che vi hanno scoperto gli avam-
posti per il loro aperitivo serale. Non più Coca Cola o Fanta, ma lo spritz
jesolano, liturgia obbligata per un ragazzo in vacanza al lido.
"Il nostro servizio è molto cambiato", spiega Lorenzo Vallese, presidente
della categoria Veneto Chioschi, "prima vendevamo di fatto colazioni
e merende, oggi ci sono snack e veloci pranzi e cene, accompagnati da
aperitivi, momenti conviviali ed eventi quali concerti e appuntamenti di
ogni genere per giovani e famiglie”.
In questi anni i titolari sono stati impegnati con iniziative di sensibi-
lizzazione e assistenza ai turisti. Oltre all’attività di pubblico esercizio,
rappresentano per la collettività un supporto a volte determinante in
termini di sicurezza.
L’offerta, dunque, è cambiata e di pari passo ha seguito il trend che ha
caratterizzato lo sviluppo del turismo locale. Dall'alba al tramonto, a volte
anche fino al chiaro di luna, queste strutture arricchiscono le giornate
degli ospiti contribuendo a rendere unico il loro soggiorno sul lungomare.

HOW WE WERE
AND HOW WE ARE...

The kiosks of Jesolo, a 60-year tradition
From wooden huts to actual commercial enterprises overlooking the beach,
a point of reference for aggregation and safety. The history of the kiosks in
the Lido began about 60 years ago together with the beach of Jesolo and
the development of a seaside city that precisely relies on these enterprises
for its tourist offer.

The kiosks are 51 and dot the coast like “lighthouses” that light up the beach.
The pioneers started with mobile and prefabricated structures, which were
then removed at the end of summer. They looked like huts but already ex-
erted a certain fascination. They mostly sold water and soft drinks, tasty
sandwiches with salami and soppressa fruit, the first coconuts and ice cream.
Over the time, this profession has evolved and, about 25 years ago, took on
the same characteristics that it has today.
Someone built a base in concrete, with load-bearing walls in sturdy wood.
Today, the kiosks are still there, facing the beach, even in winter. In the sum-
mer, five or six persons work in few square meters.
The oldest kiosk is "ai Pini" kiosk in the Pineta, which is more than 60 years
old. But there are many family-run realities that have been working in close
contact with tourists for decades, not to mention the recent new entries. The
kiosks are loved by families, but especially by the youth who choose them for
their evening aperitif. No longer Coca Cola or Fanta, but the typical spritz
from Jesolo, a must for all the boys and girls on holiday at the Lido.
“Our service has greatly changed over time”, Lorenzo Vallese, president
of Veneto Chioschi – an association that gathers the kiosks in Veneto - ex-
plains, “in the past, we used to sell breakfasts and snacks, today we offer
quick lunches and dinners, accompanied by aperitifs, convivial moments and
special events such as concerts and entertainments for youth and families.”
In recent years, the owners have been busy with initiatives to raise awareness
and help tourists. In addition to their commercial activities, in fact, they offer
their guests support also in terms of safety.
Therefore, the offer has changed over time while always following the trend
that has characterized the development of local tourism. From sunrise to
sunset, sometimes up to the moonlight, these structures enliven the stays of
tourists making their experience on the seafront unique.