Malta Finally Has Its First Merchandise Shop For Local Artists And It’s Already Buzzing
Marsaskala’s Zion has gone from strength to strength over the last couple of years, evolving from a simple reggae bar and restaurant to the venue of many a local gig, including the popular annual Rock the South music festival. Now, Zion is giving back to the local scene in a new way, by hosting a small shop which is slowly becoming much more than that.
It all started with the idea to repurpose a small room on the side of the Ramla Bay venue, but gradually, Mellowmoon was born.
Mellowmoon is the brainchild of Rachelle Deguara, who has been looking for a place to sell her creations. “I use anything from clay, gemstones, ropes and wiring,” Rachelle said of her necklaces and bracelets, which have already started being worn by some of the biggest names in the alternative scene.
Rachelle made it a point to not stop there, however. “The shop has turned into a small hub where people swap vinyls and gemstones, get Henna tattoos and share and play their favourite records,” she said.
In fact, while Mellowmoon has only been officially open since last week’s Santa Marija, visitors can already find a host of merchandise from some of the biggest names in the alternative music scene. “We’re currently hosting and selling vinyls, CDs and clothing for Brodu, Lucy’s Last, No Snow No Alps, Fuzzhoneys and Crux,” Rachelle said. Apart from all these, Mellowmoon is also one of the first shops in Malta (along with Valletta’s Ġugar) to stock the vinyl press of Brikkuni‘s new album Rub Al Khali, which many are calling one of the best Maltese albums in a very long time.
You’d think that would be more than enough for the shop’s first week of business, but it’s not for the likes of Rachelle. “We’re currently in the process of including prints from local artists, and other works which can either be exhibited or sold.”
As it stands, local designer-turned-musician Samwel Mallia’s work Icarus, for example (a graphic narrative re-interpretation of the myth), is currently on display, and more are following. “Next in line are prints by the local artist Ryan Falzon,” Rachelle said.
New initiatives like this normally take a while to properly kick off in Malta, but Rachelle has made it a point to start with a bang and not back down during her shop’s first weeks.
Mellowmoon already has a very active Instagram account which Rachelle uses to upload different products and music on a daily basis, and the newly-opened shop’s Facebook page has already amassed nearly 1,000 likes. The page is also currently running a competition where anyone can be in the chance of winning one of Rachelle’s semi-precious stone chokers just by following a couple of very quick and easy steps.
Here’s hoping this hub for local artists continues to flourish, and encourages even more people to venture into Malta’s alternative music scene. Mellowmoon, we salute you!
Tag a friend who’d love to check out Mellowmoon!
READ NEXT: This Album Launch Was Easily The Coolest Maltese Gig Ever
