Amidst all these modern day pleasures of shopping, Barcelona still pays tribute to the origins of the makings of its markets. The city is the epitome of shopping that never goes out of style. Here is where you experience genuine commerce in the flesh. This is so such that up until now some shops that are still operating in Barcelona today are in fact, centuries old. They however maintain undying majestic shop fronts and the zeal of the old days! Barcelona pays tribute to these old shops so much that in recognition of their consistency, perseverance and passion to maintain their respective original and uncorrupted style, the Urban Landscaping department started giving these shops the award of "Guapos per sempre" in 1994. This award has been the pride of sixty establishments in the city, even up to present. Here is a sample of that privileged selection, all of which are worth your time and dime for a visit - to see and to buy.
Cereria Codina (Bisbe, 2 bis)
This shop is rightly located in the heart of the city, just between the cathedral and Pla de Sant Jaume. Being beside the Cathedral, this place has proven how worthy the industry of wax chandlers will be in Barcelona . Now, it is a guild which celebrates over 500 anniversaries of its existence. Its constitution was drafted in 1998, even though the profession had its own rules 200 years earlier. Ever since, the shop has been offering its clients candles for civil and religious purposes and a whole range of other religious articles since 1925.
Colmado Quilez (Aragó, 251)
The shop is widely famous for its tempting sixteen shop windows that are brimming with the sumptuous Quilez delicacies. These delicacies are known locally and throughout the rest of the world for its caviar, olive oil, wine, vinegar, smoked products, asparagus, liquors, chocolates and more. Go ahead and try killing yourself by resisting temptation at this shop that is located on Aragon on the corner with Rambla de Catalunya . Not only aesthetically gifted for its tempting goodies, the shop is also situated n a beautiful building constructed in 1908, from an owner who used to be the baker then. It was opened in 1940 and has grown since into the shop that it is now - one of the most well-known and prestigious shops in the city. In fact, to date, it is not just a grocer's, with its more than 4,000 different food products, not counting the 3,500 wines, including their own produce, the coffee mixes, and more importantly, the Catalan sparkling wine cava , made specially by Mont - Ferrant .
Cereria Subir (Baixada de la Llibreteria, 7)
If you ll be locked in a time capsule for, say, more than a hundred years, you ll be amazed on what you ll see in this shop. Believe it or not, the shop has hardly changed in the last 150 years! When you step foot on this wax chandler's haven, you ll know right away that you are stepping into the oldest shop in the city, so old that it used to operate as a clothes shop, and then it began selling candles in 1909. Now, with the turn of events, the 21 st century brings this quaint little shop the magic of air conditioning. Master wax chandler Jordi Subir , one of the sons of Paulí Subir and president of the wax chandler's guild of Catalonia , continues to flourish the business. The variety of candles on sale will amaze you, ranging from ecclesiastic to baptismal candles which have now been added flairs with the likes of perfumes, colors, flowers and even spices.
Pintes i Raspalls Ciutad (Portal de l 14)
Women do not only dwell in the toiletries of department stores, they ve also found their home here. Since its opening, women of all ages have never stopped visiting Pintes i Raspalls Ciutad where there are top quality combs, brushes, peinetas (ornamental combs) and all kinds of things for your hair. This family business began in 1882 though it only moved to its current location at Portal de l in 1922.
Ganiveteria Roca (Pla del Pi, 3)
This shop is worth a visit, not just for what it sells, buy also for where it sells; the edifice is simply lovely. Go and see what I m talking about by marveling at the building, which is catalogued as part of the artistic heritage of Barcelona . Opened in 1911, this establishment conserves its unmistakable Viennese style, heck, even the cash registers are still unmistakably, the originals! But wait until you go in and actually buy something -- you ll also marvel at the spectacular range of knives, kitchen tools, shaving kits, scissors and more, where there are more than nine thousand different articles on sale, every time!
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