Mezzolombardo. The first store closes its doors today Helfer Curtains. Tonight George Helfer abandon the work tools to devote himself full time to his family. "I do not feel old at all, because they are not being born in 1955, but after 41 years of work I thought it was time to say enough is enough - he says - and direct my attention elsewhere and my time. The shop has given me much satisfaction, but there more to life. "
George inherited the workshop by his father Mario, who in turn inherited from his grandfather Eugenio Helfer. The main activity has been for many years to upholsterer and saddler. Helfer in the laboratory, located in Via Garibaldi hotel opposite the famous "Cross of Gold", is producing mattresses, sofas and pillows are lined and all activities typical of the upholsterer, including that of a saddler, to say the production of handmade harness for horses shooting and riding. Giorgio
Helfer recalls with nostalgia when he young apprentice in the workshop of his father, saw him coming on board his chariot drawn by four horses, Count Thun, from family residence in the castle Vigo di Ton . "He entered the shop - he says - and asked my dad to do some work for him. Many of the tapestries Castel Thun were made by my dad and the first from my grandfather. So even the trappings of their horses. I remember my dad had to get cabs to the count. He was an expert. The purchased in the name and on its own and then finished off them to him. I was a kid, but I remember this count that big man in the hotel Golden Cross sent me to proclaim that "now is the Count," to appear in person then. "
the late '60s the store was passed in via Degasperi e lì qualche anno dopo l’attività è passata alla terza generazione. Papà Mario, pur rimanendo a dare una mano, cedette le redini al figlio Giorgio che, sull’onda della necessità dettata dai cambiamenti resi obbligatori dal progresso – di cavalli da agghindare ce n’erano ormai sempre meno ed i materassi vecchi si buttavano, non si rinnovavano più cambiando la lana interna – si indirizzò sempre più sui tendaggi. Nella sua attività quotidiana Giorgio Helfer ha potuto sempre potuto avvalersi dell’apporto della moglie Margherita (Maria Rita) Stringari e, fino praticamente alla sua morte avvenuta qualche anno fa, di papà Mario. Nonché della preziosa collaboratrice Cinzia Micheletti.
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