No sign of calling it a day at Carmelo’s Cafe in Buckley

Carmelo Molica-Franco started Carmelo’s Cafe in Buckley three decades ago, having bought the site earlier as a green grocers and general store.

The 84-year-old can still be found front of house, giving a warm welcome to loyal regulars and newcomers alike.

Carmelo moved to the area from Sicily in Italy, aged 16, in 1956, when he worked for several years at Buckley Brickworks.

Carmelo Molica-Franco during his days selling ice cream.

In 1959 he left his job transporting coal from Buckley Brickworks for higher wages a waiter at the Grosvenor Hotel in Chester.

He stayed for two years before leaving to work for Mr Evans, who had an ice cream van round with four vans.

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During a visit back to Sicily in 1967, Carmelo married Anna, bringing his wife back to Buckley.

The couple went on to have three children, Anthony, Salvatore and Cristina.

Inside The Savoy Mold.

Carmelo worked several other jobs, before starting a family business, taking over and developing The Savoy cafe in Mold.

Speaking from the popular Brunswick Road cafe, Carmelo summed it all up, saying: "I would do it all again, I enjoy it. I'm very happy with my life here."

Talking about what drives grandad-of-seven Carmelo at a time most people would be looking to take it easy, his son Salvatore said: "It's all he knows, he's always worked hard. It was always a commitment to a better life.

"He's ready to relax a bit but he still enjoys it. He loves going there, working and talking to the customers."