About US
In 1956, Ferramenta Dante burst onto the scene, catering to the rising demands of Italian immigrants in the neighborhood for top-notch small domestic appliances and tools from their homeland. Teresa and Luigi Vendittelli, along with their two eldest sons Antonio and Giuseppe, took the reins of the store and transformed it into an authentic Italian general store. It became a haven where locals could rediscover cherished items they had left behind when they bid farewell to the old country.
Then, in 1962, Antonio and Giuseppe propelled Dante Hardware to greater heights. They introduced a dedicated firearms counter for hunting that remains an integral part of the store to this day. This bridged the cultural gap, as hunting emerged as a shared passion among the Italian community and the native Quebecers. Today, Rudy Vendittelli, brother of the founders, expertly oversees the armory. Since 1981, he has been Dante’s co-owner alongside his sister, Elena.
Since 1968, Elena Faita-Vendittelli has played a major role in Quincaillerie Dante. When she assumed leadership of the family business in 1981, together with her siblings Maria and Rudy, Elena’s passion for cooking sparked a progressive transformation. The hardware tools gradually made way for a captivating assortment of home and kitchen essentials. In the ’90s, Elena unveiled her legendary pasta demonstrations, drawing crowds every Saturday at 2 pm. With her infectious enthusiasm, the Vendittelli family’s business and reputation quickly spread throughout the province. It wasn’t long before her daughter Cristina had a brilliant idea—to establish a cooking school in the neighboring commercial space, aptly named Mezza Luna.
At Mezza Luna Cooking School, Elena Faita worked hand in hand with her son Stefano to celebrate and promote their cherished culinary heritage. Together, they offered patrons an immersive experience, teaching them not only the art of pasta-making but also the secrets behind crafting delectable sauces, Italian preserves, homemade sausages, and an array of mouthwatering dishes.
As their sideline business gained momentum, local chefs were drawn to Mezza Luna cooking school, hosting theme nights that added an exciting twist to the ever-growing clientele’s culinary journey. Alongside their ventures at the cooking school, Stefano and Elena also made their mark in the world of media. They became regular guests on popular TV cooking shows, sharing their expertise and passion with a wider audience.
Stefano’s media career flourished, providing him with remarkable opportunities to host his own cooking programs. Today, he owns four successful restaurants (Impasto, Gema, Chez Tousignant et Vesta), each showcasing his culinary prowess. Additionally, Stefano skillfully manages his company, which markets a range of authentic Italian food products, thereby strengthening his influence in the culinary field.
Even today, Dante stands as a cherished Montreal institution, revered for its commitment to quality Italian and Quebecois products in the wider Montreal area. It proudly embodies authenticity and upholds time-honored traditions, ensuring a warm and attentive experience that caters to the diverse needs of everyone. Passionate food enthusiasts make it a point to include Dante on their must-visit list, knowing they will find exactly what they need within its welcoming walls.