Welcome to our little corner of the internet and we’re thrilled you’ve found us.

Prepare to enjoy an all-new online shopping experience – one that is 100% guilt-free and entirely philanthropic. It’s a win-win situation in the truest sense of the phrase!

We Are Not A Shop is where altruism and a passion for unique design meet. Unless clearly stated otherwise, every item available from our general stock is brand new, with the addition of the gorgeous and interesting vintage and antique pieces which feature in our Collectors’ Corner.  We guarantee that every single cent spent on purchasing these items are donations that will go straight to charitable causes. No commissions, no skimming off the top and no funds used for operational costs.

We’ve brought together some unique and unusual items which inspire us and we hope that they will inspire you too.

The website is in the process of being transferred to The Working For Malta Foundation VO 2085.

In the meantime, all donations are being made directly to St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral Appeal bank account from where 40% of all donations received are transferred to St John Malta.

‘We’ are Stephanie Laing, Vanessa Dowling, Ann Caruana Montaldo, Laura Greenhalgh, Luke Micallef, Lisa Degiorgio, Jenny Fenton,  Caroline Vassallo and Ella Pullicino.

The Working For Malta Foundation has been set up with our aim being to raise money for charitable causes which have a close and meaningful connection to helping the local community, whilst promoting the culture and heritage of Malta.

With the generous help of many supporters, We Are Not A Shop is now able to provide an online method of raising funds for our chosen charities and our heart lies in making every single cent count; which is why our delightful items and uncommon finds are available via WANAS at suggested minimum donations.

Our first chosen charity was Save The Valletta Skyline Appeal and we are working in conjunction with the Fundraising Committee to save and restore St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral. The spire is a major feature of the iconic skyline and we believe that Malta’s incredible architecture and cultural heritage needs to be protected and cherished for the benefit of our children, grandchildren and future generations. Work is now in progress tackling the most vulnerable parts of the cathedral with the erection of scaffolding to the interior of the steeple, and the protection of the six bells.

Our intention to support other Maltese charities was hastened by the unfolding international events of 2020. Therefore, the second charity we are supporting at this time is St John Malta, with 40% of all money raised going to help them with their work in the local community.

It all started in the beautiful garden of a farmhouse in Wardija in 2016, with a two-day ‘Spring into Summer’ sale in aid of Save The Valletta Skyline. Stands featured exciting, brand new gifts and household items which had all been donated, as well as the now renowned home-made jams, chutneys, marmalades and baked goods from Chef David Antell.

The concept took off and following three successful Christmas pop-up shops in Balluta, WeAreNotAShop was born and has now grown into an online space for gifts and household items with a difference. We have eclectic tastes and have made it our mission to bring you somewhat unusual items not typically found in Malta. In addition to our brand-new lines, we created a Collector’s Corner to include vintage and antique jewellery; rare, first edition and signed books as well as unusual personal and household objects. Therefore, you’ll find that whilst we stock some items in volume, others are genuine one-off pieces, waiting to be snapped up.

We realise that it’s important for us keep our range competitive and affordable, whilst also bringing convenience to people’s lives. This is why we also stock items available on big, global sites – the difference being that by shopping with us you save on postage fees and waiting time within Malta and Gozo, whilst donating every cent of your purchase to charitable causes.

In view of the current COVID-19 situation, visits to our office are only by appointment. We are very aware of the need to protect our customers, as well as our helpers, and therefore we strictly follow the suggested guidelines of social distancing, with the wearing of masks, frequent washing of hands and use of antiseptic gel.

We strive to be as environmentally friendly as possible and choose our wrapping and packing materials carefully. When using sponsored wrapping materials, we hope that our customers will re-use them.

The initial transition from pop-up shops to an online site was made possible by Vicky Heather, with further expertise provided by Jo Caruana, Edward Laing, Petra Galea Debono, Alex Gregory, Ewa Beldowska, Dave Alan Caruana and Kai Dowling.

It is only through the generosity of individuals and companies that we are able to support charities in Malta and we are very grateful to those who have done so to date – either via monetary donations, or by providing items, services or advice: