What we've learned so far
The building containing the Caffe Via d'Oro is known today as the Malatesta Building, named after Anunzio Malatesta who bought the building on October 28, 1909.
Malatesta emigrated to the United States in 1866, settling first in San Francisco where he operated a fruit store. He became a naturalized citizen on July 26, 1902. Seven years later he moved to Sutter Creek with his wife, Esperanza, and two sons, and purchased the building from Morris Brinn.
Morris Brinn built the brick building you see today in 1862. Even earlier, in 1854, the property had a two-story wooden frame structure that housed McMillen and Hayden's bakery. McMillen and Hayden sold the building to one R. Baker in 1854.
Fire destroyed the wooden frame building on September 10, 1862, which at the time housed the Masonic Lodge hall upstairs and the fruit store of S. Silver and Baker's Bakery.
Six days after the fire, Morris Brinn purchased the property from R. Baker and built the brick building you see today.
Three years later, on September 9, 1865, fire again swept through the east side of Main Street, and caused $1,750 in damage to the building and its goods.
By this time, Jacob Newman has become a partner in the business and remained a partner off and on until at least 1873.
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Receipt above from January 2, 1873 shows that Amador County bought one dozen office chairs for $30. The receipt says that "All kinds of produce taken in exchange for goods at the highest market prices." Click on the picture for a bigger version.
Morris Brinn (picture at left), one of six children born to William and Rachel Brinn. William Brinn was a merchant in Germany. It may have come naturally, therefore, as Binn was a merchant as well as a principal in efforts such as the Butte Basin Mining Company and the Bonanza Quartz Mining Company.
Brinn served Sutter Creek as Post Master in the 1880s and as a County Supervisor for District 4. He died in San Francisco in 1928 at the age of 90. Click on the picture for a bigger version.
Receipt above is dated June 30, 1881 and notes that Brinn & Bro. received payment of $33 from the Con. Amador Mining Co. for goods that appear to have included rope, strainers and bailing wire. Click on the pictrure for a bigger picture
Receipt above from February 1, 1897, shows that Morris Brinn and his brother Nathan sold everything from eggs to insurance. Click on the picture for a bigger version.