Massimo Marinotti, founder of Libreria Palomar, dies at 68

Massimo Marinotti, the founder of the Libreria Palomar, has died at the age of 68. He passed away following a heart attack on Saturday, September 12, while walking his dog in Grosseto, Italy.

Marinotti, along with Monica Volpi, established the Palomar bookstore in Grosseto in 1988. The establishment became a significant cultural hub, recognized by the Ministry as a ‘quality bookstore’ and noted for hosting debates, presentations, and community meetings.

In 2017, Marinotti expanded his vision to his hometown of Siena by opening a second Palomar location in Palazzo Piccolomini. However, due to the challenges posed by the pandemic and the rise of online retail, the Siena branch closed in December 2021. Marinotti ultimately chose to maintain the Grosseto location, a decision he described as painful due to his deep ties to Siena.