The Orellana celebrate five decades making guayaberas in Guayaquil

The minute a customer walks through the door and enters the Casa de la Guayabera (Escobedo and Clemente Ballén) he becomes the most important person in the premises, so much so that its owners pause an interview with a media of communication and resume it only when this customer has been advised and has left satisfied with their purchase.

There have already been several generations of Guayaquil residents who have come to this space asking for 'Mr. Orellana', referring to Rómulo Orellana, now 74 years old, who started the business half a century ago making shirts. But these days, you're sure to be greeted by one of your children, Juan Carlos, Marcia, or Freddy (from left, photo on page 18), who are on site (or at the Garzocentro) daily to provide that same personalized attention. that for years they saw their father offer to their buyers.

The motto of Don Rómulo and his wife, Irene Flores, since they started their first store in the south of the city (on Lorenzo de Garaycoa and Febres Cordero streets) has always been that the customer should always leave happy, and their children follow suit. honoring to this day.

The three brothers grew up 'between threads and fabrics', learning some details of the trade from a very young age and, after completing their university education (Marcia studied Business Administration and Freddy and Juan Carlos, Advertising and Marketing), they decided to pool their talent and experience to support the business of their parents (although they also gave themselves the opportunity to make a career in other companies).

On July 6 of this year, even with a pandemic and despite having his father still recovering from the aftermath of COVID-19, his family business celebrated 50 years of operation. They had a discreet celebration with their parents via video call, which was also joined by their grandchildren. “We wanted to say thank you! Here we are all of us who continue with the legacy, thanks for having started it”, comments Marcia, who also assures that with her brothers they have shared the work according to their aptitudes. “Juan Carlos is the creative one, he is always designing and drawing; Freddy is the brain, he is like the head, and I am the administrative part, the numbers”.

What is the secret to keep the business afloat and without major disputes? Remember that first of all they will always be family. “That is the greatest teaching and legacy that our parents left us.”

Tradition plus innovation

The COVID-19 pandemic that forced them to close last year for 60 days and even dare to design masks as a way to reactivate economically after quarantine, has not been the first crisis faced by their brand.

At the time, his father had to, for example, find a way to ensure that his labor continued to be valuable compared to the merchandise that arrived from abroad through imports and was sold for a lower price. So, instead of also becoming another importer of merchandise, he decided to bet on the making of a garment that was difficult to replicate and unique: the guayabera.

As Juan Carlos recalls, over time they came to count among his clients from natural persons, executives, artists, to public officials such as former ministers, assembly members, deputies, mayors, vice presidents and chancellors. “Customers who demand a garment with presence”.

Source: https://www.eluniverso.com/larevista/cuerpo-alma/los-orellana-cumplen-cinco-decadas-confeccionando-guayaberas-en-guayaquil-nota/