The Gauci Borda family came into being through the union in marriage of Carmelo Gauci and Maria Borda in the late nineteenth century (circa1886).

Maria was the daughter of John Baptist aka Patist Borda, from Kalkara, a wealthy business man who operated as a ship chandlers in the busy port of Valletta, an activity that can trace its origins to the mid eighteenth century. His business also diversified in every direction. Carmelo was son of Paolo Gauci and born in Cospicua.

As the brothers grew and started getting married, they branched out to other outlets. When their father retired the stores in Valletta were taken over by John, the second eldest brother and 2 of his children Joseph and Paul. Frank, brother of John lent a helping hand in running the business.

George was the brains behind his father’s and later his brothers’ businesses. He kept in touch with the right people to gather information regarding ships coming into Grand Harbour. He had an office base in London, however he paid regular visits to Malta looking for orders. George had two children who died very young.

Andrew better known as Andre’ was born in 1902. He was one of the youngest among his siblings. Although stared working in the family business from an early age, he formally joined forces with his brother Emmanuel (b. 1900) and opened a retail outlet at 168-169 Merchants Street, Valletta, by a contract signed on the 27th March, 1926.

In this unfortunate event Andre’ converted the sitting room of his home in 284, Fleur de lys Road, in B’Kara, into a temporary retail shop. From there he continued to do business until the war was over.

The family car at the time was a 1935, 2-door Studebaker. During the war it was confiscated by the British Forces to serve officers. Later its roof was cut off to serve as a means of transport for goods.

After the war Andre’ rejoined his brother Emmanuel and together opened a retail shop in 204, Old Bakery Street, Valletta, right opposite St. Mark Street. On the first of January 1953, however they decided to split up their business venture, Manuel keeping the shop in Old Bakery Street, while Andre’ went back to the old shop in Merchants Street, once this was rebuilt after the war. Manuel had only one daughter and when he retired the shop was closed down.

Andre’ had 3 boys. The eldest Lino, breaking away from the business tradition, took up medicine and became a doctor in 1961, he also served as a member of the Maltese parliament for several years, contesting with the Nationalist Party.

The youngest, Edward, made a name for himself after joining the civil service, for several years serving as director of the Public Lotto and later a permanent secretary in the Ministry of Fishing and Agriculture.

It was Joe who continued in his father’s foot steps as a trader when at a very young age he opened a shop in St. Anne Street, Floriana. The ”PICK QUICK” General store.

He traded in tools and harware, however he was instrumental in introducing kits for motorised planes model – a hobby still in its infancy in the 1950’s. He was also one of the first importers of black and white TV sets on the island (Emud).

When Andre’ retired in the mid 1960’s Joe closed the Floriana shop and took over the business in Merchants Street, however he continued with the imports activity of goods concurrently. He concentrated his efforts in finding reliable foreign firms dealing mainly in manufacture and export of hardware, locks and ironmongery. Some of these firms we are still representing locally until this day.

In 1985, Joe closed down the retail outlet in Valletta and re-directed the business activity, becoming solely an importer, wholesaler and representative of foreign firms.