Mellah is a neighbourhood destination for exquisite Moroccan rugs—and delicate hand towels

In 2015, John Honeyman and Miriam Zittell were expecting a child while living in Manhattan and working in the restaurant and fashion businesses. They planned to move back to Toronto after a sabbatical trip through Europe and Africa. While in Marrakesh, they fell in love with the country’s glorious rugs, famous for their intense colour saturation and geometric designs. They loaded up a container with one-of-a-kind treasures and leased a tiny storefront in Dufferin Grove. The timing was great: Moroccan rugs, pouffes and pillows were suddenly all over Instagram. Shortly after, they outgrew their space and moved further west. Mellah became a destination for Roncey homeowners who wanted to cover their creaky Edwardian hardwood with something stylish and steeped in history.

Since mid-March, most of Mellah’s business has shifted to Instagram. The storefront is open for appointments only. John and Miriam’s kids, aged three and five, now tag along for shop visits and nap in the backseat of the car during socially distanced porch deliveries. The top sellers of late have been the Coopérative Art-Tissage-Tam bath mats, blankets and hand towels—perfect for all the extra handwashing required at the moment. 373 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-580-7122, mellah.ca

A few of their current favourite things…