CENTENARY SHOPS

Time goes by and they continue in the streets of Madrid, they are establishments that take us to another time. Taverns, restaurants, stores of all kinds of goods, apothecaries or bookstores that are part of the living history of this Community, with a mixture of tradition and modernity that has allowed them to adapt to the passage of time.

Their concentration is very large in the central streets such as Arenal, Carretas, Mayor, Carmen and Preciados, where they are still standing, surrounded by large national and international firms.

Charming Shops

All kinds of traditional businesses have preserved their status in Madrid, existing shops that have this Castilian atmosphere. Since 1868, Casa de Diego (Puerta del Sol 12 y Mesonero Romanos 4) sells hand fans, umbrellas, sun umbrellas, sticks, castanets and shawls.

Since 1894, La Casa Yustas (Plaza Mayor 30) have sold caps, hats and military ítems, although currently they also sell handmade products, decoration items and souvenirs. Also, since 1984, we find the oldest headdress shop of Madrid. It is La Favorita (Plaza Mayor 25). Besides the headdress, you can also find hats, souvenirs and traditional wineskin bottles with the three ZZZ.

The Almacén de Pontejos (Plaza de Pontejos 2), from 1861, sells daily all kinds of haberdashery items and crafts. Also, since 1915 the wool shop the Gato Negro (Plaza Mayor 30) offers all kinds of wools and also seam advices. These two places are crowded every day, and they are references in their specialties.

Spanish Culture flag-bearers shops

The flamenco has a privileged position amongst the Spanish culture. Since 1882, Guitarras Ramírez (Calle de la Paz 8) has been selling guitars that have been used by famous artists like Andrés Segovia. If you visit the shop, you will be able to see the collection they have.

Capas Seseña (calle de la Cruz 23) sells the most classical clothes in Spain since 1855. The Spanish Royal House, Hilary Clinton, Picasso, Buñuel, Rodolfo Valentino, Plácido Domingo, Hemingway, Gary Cooper and many more have been clients.

Pharmacies and apothecaries

Very curious are the old apothecaries, which stand out for their careful decoration and furniture. This is the case of the Farmacia de la Reina Madre (Calle Mayor 59), open since 1578.

Image credits:

Comercios centenarios © DRG Photography. Shutterstock