A new store dedicated to THUN products opened in Valletta on Friday as part of the Italian gifts and accessories brand’s ever-growing international franchise.

THUN has a network of more than 1,000 shops across Italy, with others launching worldwide. In the new Valletta store, customers will find some of the brand’s range of ceramics, ornaments, and kitchenware items, which are ideal for their homes or as gifts.

It was launched on 7th July through an event open to the Buttigieg family and friends, members of the press and media, as well as THUN International Commercial Director Andreas Xynogalas. It officially opened its doors to customers the following day.

Lene Thun founded the brand in 1950, creating distinctive ceramic figures inspired by the sight of her sleeping sons and the Angel of Bolzano, the universally recognised symbol of South Tyrol and the city of Bolzano. It has since grown to “bring joy to customers across the globe” by evoking the magic and warmth of childhood through its range of artisanal decorative and functional products that “symbolise love and affection”.

(From left) Joseph Buttigieg, Marvi Buttigieg, Andrea Xynogalas, Sylvana Buttigieg, and Ray Buttigieg / Matthew Schembri

Brothers Joseph and Ray Buttigieg bring their years of experience from running the popular Café Santa Lucia in Attard and its wider catering arm to THUN. The brand’s products have previously been on the shelves of the café’s giftshop.

“Throughout the years, clients have entrusted us with celebrating their most special moments,” the Buttigieg family said during the store’s launch.

“As time went by, we felt that – apart from culinary delicacies – we wanted to provide our clients with something more: special keepsakes that would help them hold onto dear moments a little while longer,” it continued, before adding that this was the foundation for the idea of the Santa Lucia Gourmet and gift shop, which opened its doors two years ago “to cater for exclusive gifts for loved ones”.

“In THUN, we have found a product whose message is akin to ours: a product that invokes feelings of warmth and tradition, class and elegance,” the Buttigieg family added. It also thanked those at the event as it marks “the beginning of this new venture”.

Opened in 1975, Café Santa Lucia has become one of the most iconic names in Malta’s catering industry, going from a small two-metre by 1.5-metre shop to a coffee shop in Attard and a factory that supplies it.