Our story

Anyone walking down Frutuoso Guimarães Street, in the busy commercial heart of Belém, can hardly miss the scent drifting out of the old house in the middle of the block. It is a blend of fragrances that locals recognize from afar and that makes visitors curious. There, at number 270, is one of the oldest perfumeries still operating in the state of Pará: Orion.

The story begins with Antônio Santos Agra Gomes, who arrived from Portugal in 1914 and founded the shop. In 1955, his nephew came to Brazil to help with his uncle’s business. Today the shop is run by Manuel Santos, the family’s third generation, who took over the work in 1987.

Manuel buys raw materials directly from producers, most of them from Pará itself, and some have been partners for more than 50 years. At Orion, the essences are worked by hand and blended into colognes and perfumes, or sold pure to those who like to create their own fragrance. Some formulas are family secrets, handed down from generation to generation.

The best advertising, Manuel says, comes from the customers. "People in Pará love to wear perfume, especially the scents from here." The busiest time of year is October, during the Círio de Nazaré festival. Besides the shop, Orion sells online throughout Brazil.