Farewell to Edda Felcaro, she was the soul of the Leather House of Udine

The entrepreneur who disappeared at 94. In the sixties he made the shop in via D’Aronco shine. Family members: “A determined woman, with innovative ideas and will, she expanded the business“

UDINE. Farewell to Edda Felcaro, entrepreneur, well-known face of the city and, in particular, of the “House of leather”, a historic business started in 1921 by the family of her husband, Ennio Modonutti, who passed away at the age of 94.

A shop, hers, which she, always with the support of her husband, has been able to innovate and expand. Thus the store, which until the early 2000s was located on the corner of via D’Aronco and via dei Rizzani, in the 1960s had begun to transform itself from a leather and shoe-making shop to a point of reference. for quality leather goods and clothing.

Her family members, in particular her daughter Giovanna Modonutti together with her husband Franco Di Fonzo, say: “The determined character and coherence of ideas had allowed this girl born in Bologna in 1927 to Friulian parents to return to Udine to marry a boy from his homeland, to start a family and, a pioneer among women with many ideas and a lot of will, to enter her husband’s shop and bring innovative ideas ».

Edda entered the Casa del Cuoio “with the gentleness of someone who is aware of their abilities, but at the same time does not want to subvert the management habits and customs of the shop”. In those years, we are talking about the early sixties, the shop had recently moved to via D’Aronco and in the windows were exhibited leathers, objects and components for the processing of leather, footwear and for the packaging of bags. Nothing more.

Edda saw what the future could be. He understood the potential of the Casa del Cuoio. «Slowly – it is still the memory of his loved ones – he began to sell leather goods and small clothing alongside the cobbler’s hammers. Without neglecting family and children, Edda began to expand the tailoring production of clothing and, given the ever-growing interest of customers, expanded the range by contacting different and always qualified producers “.

With the awareness of having taken the right path, with the constant support of her husband, continue along that path. Creativity and determination led her to expand the business through the acquisition of a space adjacent to the old shop.

Who has never entered the House of Leather to buy a wallet, a belt, a bag, a nice object to give for Christmas? Sheepskin coats were among the most requested gifts. The quality, beauty and style of the products selected and put up for sale by Edda was appreciated by the Friulians.

«Edda – the family members explain – as a woman entrepreneur invented, managed and developed a commercial activity in a difficult period. In a few years the shop became a reference point for Udinese shopping. As a mother she suffered the greatest of pains: the loss of her beloved son Stefano, who died in 1984 during an underwater activity. And for this intimate suffering, but supported by the affection of many, there are no words ».

Advancing with age, Edda and Ennio decided to close the Casa del Cuoio, “aware that their daughter was pursuing their knowledge and their efforts in an activity that recalls tradition and love for that natural material, leather , to which they had dedicated their whole life ». The funeral will be celebrated on Tuesday 30 November at 12 in the church of the San Vito cemetery.