Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
East life<br />
“It’s a very unique caff. You won’t find anywhere<br />
with the same camaraderie and ambiance. You<br />
have to share a table and talk to people. Such a<br />
small establishment brings together people from<br />
all walks of life.”<br />
The vibrant local community Anna’s grandparents<br />
joined a hundred years ago is still very much<br />
visible in this small hub in Bethnal Green.<br />
What is your connection with East London?<br />
I was born here. My grandparents opened E<br />
Pellicci in the early 1900s. They came to London<br />
from a small village in Tuscany called Roggio. My<br />
nan belonged to the first generation of Italian<br />
immigrants.<br />
My dad worked in the café with his brothers<br />
from the age of 11. My nan shared a room with<br />
her two girls and the five boys slept in one room.<br />
Dad used to say those were the best days ever.<br />
Everyone lived the simple life. People would<br />
earn some money and didn’t have an enormous<br />
mortgage. Everyone was in the same boat.<br />
My mum, Maria, came over when she was 21, met<br />
my dad and has worked here ever since. She still<br />
works in the kitchen and she’s 76!<br />
When I was young, I worked in the café on<br />
Saturdays. I started working at Pellicci’s fulltime<br />
when I was 21. My cousin Tony and brother<br />
Nervio also work here.<br />
What makes you most proud?<br />
All of us working at Pellicci’s feel like we’ve won the<br />
lottery every day. We absolutely love it. I never<br />
have a day when I think “god I don’t want to go to<br />
work today.”<br />
We have met wonderful people and seen so many<br />
unlikely friendships formed in this café. People<br />
have been coming for years. Juke box Jimmy has<br />
been coming to the caff every day for 55 years.<br />
It’s the biggest compliment when people keep<br />
coming back after so many years.<br />
Continued overleaf...<br />
Beautiful Plantation Shutters & Blinds<br />
Introducing the “simply better” shutter range equally at home in contemporary or traditional interiors.<br />
Solid hardwood shutters…<br />
at MDF prices!<br />
25% 50% off selected ranges<br />
Tel: 020 3418 8877 Email: sales@completeshutters.co.uk www.completeshutters.co.uk<br />
New Showroom at 90 George Lane, South Woodford, London E18 1JJ<br />
LOVEEAST MAY <strong>2016</strong> 5
Change language