Our story began in 1936 with our grandfather and shop owner Ioannis Michaelides. Ioannis Michaelides arrived in Thessaloniki from Smyrna in 1922 along with thousands of desperate refugees who left their homeland to escape the Great Fire and the ruthless war. He started the trade by selling spices, herbs, colors, chemicals, and wicker baskets in Kapani market, located in the historic city center of Thessaloniki. The scents from his spices reminded the markets of the East.