Our Story

In 2011, The Kaleidoscope Mercantile in downtown Carbondale became the home of Cristaudo's Café, Bakery and Catering, 6Pence Cabinet of Curiosities, and continued to be home to Yesteryear Tobacconists.  Cristaudo's is under original family ownership and our gift shop 6Pence offers eclectic local, handmade, new, and vintage items.  Cristaudo's is a full service caterer, we offer fresh cookies and pastries daily, take special orders for cakes and other baked goods, and we have a café menu with breakfast and lunch items.  Additionally, we have a full espresso menu with organic, fair trade coffee, we serve local wine, beer and spirits, and we provide free wireless internet for our customers.  Our goal is to fuel, support and entertain the community by offering a variety of products and services under one roof featuring continental cuisine and locally, regionally and sustainably produced items. 

A Brief History

Founded in 1977, Lorenzo and Lucia Cristaudo owned and operated Cristaudo’s Bakery, Restaurant and Catering for nearly 30 years in the Murdale Shopping Center.  Throughout those years, Lucia and Lorenzo applied their skills in the culinary arts to running other local eateries as well. In the late 1990’s, Lorenzo took over sole ownership of Cristaudo’s while Lucia opened a consignment and antique shop nearby. In 2001, their daughter Rachel and her partner Nicholas Stewart took on operating and managing the business until its sale in 2004. 

After taking some time away from the family business, in 2011, along with friends Leah Maciell and Jennifer Rollinson, Rachel and Nick began the process of reviving and renewing the local institution by carrying on their family's traditions. In addition, each member of the foursome has a background in the arts, the culinary world, or both, and their collective dream is to combine both of these forms of expression to create an affordable, interesting and delicious experience for others to enjoy.