In a recent interview by the People of Malta, the Ellul family, known for their Floriana household goods shop, ‘Lorenzo Ellul’, revealed the incredible and iconic history behind their family shop.

The shop, which is still very much incredibly successful to this day, was first opened by Lorenzo Ellul in 1881, who back then was a respected tailor in Valletta.

“[He] used to import sewing items which his wife used to sell. That is how Lorenzo Ellul was born”, his grandchildren narrated.

Lorenzo’s wife went by the name of Karmena Quattromani and in fact a lot of older people in Floriana still refer to them as ‘the Quattromanis’.

“He continued to sew and Karmena came to this place in Floriana selling household goods. My grandfather, together with some of his children, then took over the business. Norbert, Charles and myself then took over”

The building itself even has history that pre-dates the Ellul shop as it was originally known as the Vilhena cinema and theatre before the Ellul family took over.

The Ellul family has sold all kinds of products throughout their 140-year history. Originally starting with sewing materials, they moved on to household goods and even sold stationary, school items and provided printing on copybooks.

“In fact, we were one of the first offering copybooks with conversion tables. We also supplied ink and quill pens, tin toys and sweets. We always adapted to the times”, they proudly highlighted.

However, the ‘Lorenzo Ellul’ shop has always been more that simply just a shop as this institution was a huge source of comfort for many people who used to gather there to enjoy each other’s company.

“We have clients who come to confide in us here. Others have no one to chat with and come here and that is how this shop has always been”

“We are the fourth generation of this business and there is no one left after us. We will be the last ones and the business which started over 140 years ago will die with us”, they regrettably expressed.

Facebook/The People of Malta