Our Story

A little Italy. A little curiosity. Something distinctly Casa.

Some stories start around a kitchen table. Others find their rhythm on a stage. Casa Di Spirito brings a little of both to Uptown Collinsville: a love of gathering, an eye for the unexpected, and the belief that everyday things can hold a little more meaning.

The people behind the discoveries

Vinnie Hines, Founder of Casa Di Spirito and owner of Spirito’s Italian Grocery, grew up around family restaurants, with Little Vinnie’s in Pawnee, Illinois, among his earliest food memories. By 15, he was working in an Italian kitchen beyond the family business.

After nearly 15 years of national touring and artist residencies around the country, he’s settling into a role that has been a lifetime in the making: serial entrepreneur and explorer. Casa gives that curiosity a home in Uptown Collinsville—a place where food, music, and a taste for discovery meet, with the next chapter always taking shape.

Christin Michael, known creatively as Chrystalline Gold, brings her eye for atmosphere to Casa as Creative Experience Director. Her merchandising gives the shop its sense of discovery. Her Foglie d’oro teas offer another invitation: slow down, share a cup, and make a small ritual out of an ordinary day.

Together, they’re building a place shaped by what catches their eye, what earns a place in their own home, and what might become someone else’s favorite find.

A familiar name. A new chapter.

The 2025 acquisition of Spirito’s Italian Grocery began a new chapter in a local story. Casa Di Spirito carries that history forward through gifts, kitchenware, home accents, and experiences that extend the welcome beyond the grocery counter.

Here in the former Miles’ Market location, we’re adding our own chapter to Uptown Collinsville’s tradition of neighborhood shops. The city’s Italian heritage makes this feel especially fitting. Around the holidays, a familiar flavor, a kitchen keepsake, or a thoughtfully chosen gift can offer something special: a touch of home.

“It’s the store I want my own family shopping in.”

That idea guides the collection. We look for useful things worth keeping, less unnecessary plastic, and clearer information about ingredients and materials. Beautiful discoveries should have a place in real life.

There’s more to discover

Rome is the first stop in our plans for sourcing trips to Italy: meeting makers, exploring regional traditions, and finding pieces for seasons to come. Our curiosity about family roots adds another thread to the journey. We’ll share the discoveries that belong in Casa’s story as they unfold.

Closer to home, a collection with Mayhew Honey is in development, pairing local honey with authentic Italian ingredients. It’s one of several ideas taking shape behind the scenes.

The shelves will change. The story will grow. We hope you’ll find a reason to keep coming back.

Explore the Shop · Find a Personal Gift · See What’s Happening at Casa

Visit 308 W Main Street, Uptown Collinsville, Illinois. Plan your visit or get in touch.

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Want to be part of it? Apply to Become a Vendor or Apply to Work at Casa.