Winter 2024

Roger’s journey to Carmel was a much longer one. Hailing from a family of engineers in South Africa, Roger came to the area to see Big Sur in 1985 while on a voyage of self discovery. Visiting Carmel on his sojourn, he happened to meet Marsha in a crosswalk on Mission Street. They recognized each other from an event they’d both attended and stopped to say hello. Smitten, they visited Big Sur together that very day, dipping their toes in the river as they lounged in Adirondack chairs at the River Inn. Soon after they were married and welcomed their twin daughters the following year. Meanwhile, just east of town at Valley Hills Center,Tancredi & Morgen was a fledgling shop, owned by Sharon Tancredi and Jacqueline Morgen. The two women ran the store for a couple of years, but found it was time to sell when Tancredi decided to leave the area. Marsha knew Tancredi and she loved the store. She thought it would be a perfect opportunity to expand her existing business and Roger agreed. They purchased the business in 1987 and began running it together. Marsha designed clothing made of fabrics sourced from Europe, working with a talented seamstress to bring her designs to life (a working relationship that began with Old World Cloth and has lasted for over 50 years). Roger, with his discerning eye for craftsmanship and utility, sourced the antiques. (Above) Roger and Marsha in Marsha’s first Carmel shop, Old World Cloth (c.1985). (Center) Tancredi & Morgen in the early years, soon after the Alldises took over. (Below) A vintage holiday mailer featuring Megan, Gwynneth and Notre-Dame. Tancredi & Morgen regularly hosts com- munity events in the store that flow over into the lovely grassy knoll adjacent the building with signa- ture cocktails and epicurean delights. 142 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 4