About us

The Vendittelli Family

In 1956, the Ferramenta Dante opened to satisfy the growing demand by immigrants in the area for appliances and tools made in Italy. Run by Teresa and Luigi Vendittelli and their two eldest sons Antonio and Giuseppe, Dante Hardware acquired its own personality when the family decided to make it an authentic Italian general store, where locals could find objects they were forced to part with when leaving the old country.

In 1962, Antonio and Giuseppe made a major decision to open a special firearms counter, still an integral part of the business today. It was a small stroke of genius for bridging cultures, since hunting was - and remains - a popular activity for both the Italian community, and native Quebecers. Today, Rudy Vendittelli, brother of the founders, is responsible for the armory. Since 1981, he is also co-owner of Dante with his sister, Elena.

Since 1968, Elena Faita-Vendittelli has been another important figurehead of Quincaillerie Dante. When she took charge of the family business in 1982 with her sister Maria, her love of cooking inspired her to gradually replace the hardware tools with home and kitchen items. In the 90s, Elena inaugurated her famous pasta demonstrations on Saturdays at 2 pm. Thanks to her contagious enthusiasm, the family's business and fame soon extended to the entire city. Shortly after, her daughter Cristina had the idea to open a cooking school in the adjacent commercial space, the Mezza Luna.

Today, hunters and foodies alike have made Dante a major destination and a must-see stop for the best in quality Italian products in Montreal.