The Margiotta story started with the arrival of Pierino and Eleonora and their six children on the 22nd of December 1957 from Picinisco - a small village on the Apennine foothills in Lazio, Italy - to a flat in Commercial Street in Leith.

The family connection with Scotland actually began in the late 1800's when my grandfather Francesco had made his way to Royal Deeside where he married my Grandmother Luisa. Over a time they opened cafés/ ice cream shops in Ballater, Aboyne, Banchory and Stonehaven. My Mother was born at this time and she enjoyed 13 happy years at the family home in Stonehaven until they all moved back to the village in Italy.

When i was 9 years old, my family decided to move back to Edinburgh from our village. The family worked very hard to try and make a decent living and were able to rent their first shop in 1963 at the top of St Mary's Street just off the Royal Mile. This was a little sweet and ice cream shop. From here we then opened another in the Cannogate. Later we took over a café/ ice cream shop in Brougham Street, Tollcross and then we bought our first very small shop outright in Marchmont Road. 

From there we started to develop the Margiotta brand along with my brother and sisters, which was well received and enabled us to buy up the whole corner of Marchmont Road and Spottiswoode Road. 
I set out on my own in 1989 with the purchase of Warrender Park Road and the rest followed from there. The next shop I took on was on Comiston Road, which was followed by Ashley Terrace, Northumberland Street, Dundas Street and then Lasswade Road. Our new store at Polwarth Gardens was a great way for us to start 2014.

The whole family has been actively involved in the company and you will most likey see myself, my wife, son and daughters around the shops as well as my sister and nephew. Even though the business has grown over the years, it has remained a family and very personal company.

Along with my family, I owe a great debt to the citizens of Edinburgh for their custom and support over the years as we strive every day to give something back by way of good customer service and, hopefully, a pleasant shopping experience. Grazie.