A Tale of Three Cities

Sorrento, New York, Culver City. The journey of a family business across oceans and eras.

1775

Sorrento Origins

The journey began in the coastal town of Sorrento, Italy. In 1785, just ten years after founding, the Ajello workshop received the ultimate honor: a commission to produce all candles for the Vatican.

Sorrento 1800s
NYC Storefront
1885

The New York Institution

Antonino Sr. established the independent Ajello business in NYC. By the 1930s, Ajello Candles were a staple of high society, with a flagship showroom at 100 East 50th Street and a prestigious shop within the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

1935

Westward to Hollywood

Virginia Ajello Reardon extended the legacy to the West Coast, opening the first shop in Beverly Hills. This strategic move placed the family in the heart of the Golden Age of cinema.

Beverly Hills 1935
House of Candles Culver City
1979

House of Candles

Ginger della Santina (5th Generation) acquired the Culver City location. Known as "House of Candles," it remains the epicenter of the family's operations, supplying the entertainment industry with specialized lighting solutions.