01628 770110 
shop@italiancont.co.uk 

About/Our Story 

The Italian Shop 

About/Our Story 

The Italian Shop 

About/Our Story 

The Italian Shop 

decades of expertise Founded in 1967 

The company’s journey began in 1967 when Carmelo founded a mobile shop, selling goods door to door. A year later, in 1968, the first fixed location opened at Slough Market, marking the start of its retail presence. In 1975, Calogero joined his brother, and together they opened a shop on Maidenhead High Street, followed by another on Vicarage Road in 1977. After Slough Market closed in 1985 and Maidenhead High Street in 1988, the business moved to Bridge Road in 1989. 

continuing the family legacy 1990 - Present Day 

In 1990, Rosario and Mario purchased Calogero’s 50% share, and by 1991, Rosario had become Managing Director, expanding the company’s distribution operations. Bridge Road later closed in 1995, with Mario and Carmelo continuing to run the retail side. In 2012, the Vicarage Road store closed, giving way to the opening of The Italian Shop the same year. Following the passing of Mario and Carmelo in 2022, the next generation continued the family legacy, with Massimo becoming Director and taking charge of retail operations in 2023. 
 

1967 Carmelo founded mobile shop van door to door 

 
 

1975 Calogero joins his brother Maidenhead High Street opens 

1985 Slough market closes 

 
 

1989 Bridge Road shop opens 

 
 
 

1991 Rosario becomes MD and expands distribution side 

 

2012 Vicarage road closes & ‘The Italian Shop’ opens 

 
 

2022 Mario & Carmelo pass away 

 

1968 Slough market opens 

 
 
 
 

1977 Vicarage Road shop opens 

 

1988 Maidenhead High Street closes 

1990 Rosario & Mario buy Calogero’s 50% share 

1995 Bridge Road closes and Mario runs retail with Carmelo 

 

2018 

2023 Massimo becomes director and head’s up retail ops 

1967 Carmelo founded mobile shop van door to door 

 

1968 Slough market opens 

 

1975 Calogero joins his brother Maidenhead High Street opens 

 
 

1977 Vicarage Road shop opens 

 
 
 
 

1985 Slough market closes 

1988 Maidenhead High Street closes 

 

1989 Bridge Road shop opens 

 
 

1990 Rosario & Mario buy Calogero’s 50% share 

1991 Rosario becomes MD and expands distribution side 

 
 
 

1995 Bridge Road closes and Mario runs retail with Carmelo 

2012 Vicarage Road closes & ‘The Italian Shop’ opens 

 

2018 

 

2022 Mario & Carmelo pass away 

 
 

2023 Massimo becomes director and head’s up retail ops 

decades of expertise The Italian Shop 

established 57+ years ago Wholesale Trade 

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