Melissa (of Gavalas) in Heraklion

In 2015, after forty years of travel to Koufonisia and Heraklion, I discovered that my two favorite hangouts, which I met when they were still lit with acetylene, the cook of Mavros in Koufonisi and Cafe-Grocery-Ticket Agency of Vangelis Gavalas in Heraklion, have not only the same title, but also the same designation. "Melissa Grocery". They had to enter my electronic system to show their unique identity, because to us when we were there, they counted the names of the owners, of Black and of Gavalas and not the signs.

The Melissa Grocery in Heraklion performs many services at the same time: cafe with everything, coffees, ouza, backgammon and gambling, ticket agency for all boats arriving on the island, grocery store of Athenian products and locals displayed in a special showroom. Here you will find local thyme honey, Heraklion fava beans, pickles, liqueurs from apples to prickly pears, all with the label of the "Melissa" store logo.

Lots of people in the summer, some for tickets, some for information, others for shopping. Athenian news and local news also circulate here. The Parliament of Heraklion.

Ο Sun-Vangelis holds the store from 1983 and remembers it from 1953, when it was first opened by his father.

"Do not look now that it is crowded, come in the winter to see us in the wilderness. Eighty people in the village, 15 children and so many other teachers, because we have an Elementary, High School and Lyceum ”.

"Grandpa 13 became children, because Kostas and Anna left this year", replies the grandson, Vangelis too, who supports the accounts with his grandfather.

Something tells me that Vangelis will not easily leave his grandfather and the island!