PISTOIA – It has represented a point of reference for generations of Pistoia residents and is now renewing its path by becoming part of a large Tuscan group that deals with the same product sector: it is the new chapter in a story, that of Fratelli Morandi shopwhich continues uninterrupted in the city since 1889. The start of this new phase is expected next June.
“Originally – he remembers the owner, Stefano Morandi – the business was located in via dei Fabbri. The move to via Curtatone took place after the First World War and, since that moment, we have never moved from here.” The first shutter was raised by brothers Antonio and Giovanni Morandi, then the work continued from father to son, until today. We went through two world wars, the ’68 youth protests and then finally the 2020 pandemic. We have never stopped our activity.
And it will continue further, since the group ready to further relaunch this activity counts 300 stores throughout Italy and over 1000 employees: “For us – continues Morandi – it was essential to guarantee continuity in the territory and we are happy to be able to achieve this through a Tuscan reality. After all, ours is the oldest company registered with the Chamber of Commerce and this story deserves to continue for a long time to come.”
Cosmetics, articles for personal and household hygiene, paints, tools and much more: in Pistoia, for the last 135 years, the saying “If you don’t know where to find it, go to Morandi” was a leitmotif. And the shop has become a witness, in this very long historical period, to the evolution of commerce and society.
“I entered it at the age of twenty and in almost fifty years of work – says Morandi – starting from the 60s/70s I have witnessed the advent of large-scale distribution and in recent years online sales which have gradually eroded the small commercial realities. But then how did Fratelli Morandi manage to resist the passage of time? “With a philosophy that is as simple as it is concrete. We always thought we had to have it a vast assortmentto satisfy every need. We have linked the aspect of consultancy and management to this personal relationship with customers, who have always loved being advised and who then, in many cases, became friends who I would like to thank today. Furthermore, we have always maintained a long-term perspective: we were already making home deliveries half a century ago.”
An almost sartorial work, that of Fratelli Morandi, and for this reason it has always been particularly appreciated: “A special thanks to my family who has always supported me, to all the employees who have taken turns on this long journey, as well as to the suppliers. Without their commitment it would not have been possible to get this far. A special thanks to the many families from Pistoia and beyond, who have always placed their trust in us for more than 100 years. Thank you with all my heart”.
The mission, however, does not change. “The business is now being renewed and relaunched to be increasingly in step with new market scenarios. Customers can rest assured: they will enter in a few days a new chapter of an intense history with the center of Pistoia”.
