Barcelona Photoblog: barcelona shop
Showing posts with label barcelona shop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label barcelona shop. Show all posts

August 06, 2014

Gem Stores in Barcelona: Blue Howlite

Blue Howlite

Blue howlite has antiinflammatory and detoxifying properties, helps the immune system and it is used to deal with heartburn. It is also good for your memory and it is very soothing in general. It calms your anger, reduces anxiety and tension. It is said to prevent insomnia and help you remember what you dream.

Wow, considering I am not an expert in such matters and rather agnostic about gemstones and crystals I have to admit something that beautiful must have powerful qualities of some sort. Be it true or not, I love that blue. There are many gem stores such as the one selling the gemstones in the picture spread around Barcelona, here are some of them: 

CRISTALLJOIA
Jaume I nº16
08002
Tel: 93 268 44 52

DON MINERAL.
C/ Call, 19
08002
Tel. 933 024 830

VIVES DE LA CORTADA.
C/Call 24-26.
08002
Tel. 933185846

February 07, 2013

Offer of the Day, Barri Gotic Shop, Barcelona

Weird starwars shop manequin at Old Town, Barcelona


Now that the Carnival is starting in Barcelona, is not strange to see someone wearing costumes, in particular people disguised as Star Wars characters so if you come across this mannequin at the entrance of a shop in Carrer Arai, Barri Gotic (Gothic quarter) don't talk to it by mistake as it is probably just the offer of the day. In this case, the dress. I'd like to say that I find this kind of daring welcome more attractive than the classic stuff. Arai street is a very narrow street turning right at Carrer Avinyo.

July 22, 2012

Papier Mache Art: Famous Artists Display, Barcelona

Papier Mache figures of famous musicians in Barcelona shop

The art of creating papier mache figures or sculptures can be simple if we consider the materials used but the final work can be as difficult as your imagination and skills permit.

Many of us at a given moment of our childhood have had the opportunity to shape small figures by pasting glued strips of paper on a balloon, a cardboard model or an armature of some sort. The final result was not always artistically worthy but it surely proved to be fun.

For those of you who always wished to make a wonderful artwork in paper mache and never could, here is another good sample of exquisite papier-mâché reproductions of famous artists like John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Freddy Mercury...(the other guy looks like the Edge from U2 but I am not sure).

There is this store near Plaza Sant Jaume in Barcelona where it is possible to buy such art among other articles. It is not cheap but you would impress your friends at home for sure and of course it is the heck of a present if you can afford it.

Check many other examples of such figures in my previous posts: Papier Mache Barcelona. I've been asked so many times for the address of this shop that I will reluctantly post it here and make them free publicity in spite of the fact they always come out and stop me from taking pictures:

Shop name: 2 Bis
Adress: Carrer Bisbe, 2 - 08002 Barcelona

March 26, 2012

Tattoo Shop, Barri Gotic, Barcelona

Tattoo Shop, Barri Gotic, Barcelona [enlarge]

Becoming an intruder into somebody else's moment, sneaking into that magic instant that is no more and freezing it for posterity is one of the most thrilling experiences at least for me and I guess for anyone that enjoys photography. Walking down the narrow alleys of Barri Gotic, in a street whose name I can't recall, there was this small tattoo shop. The reflection of the man on the mirror and that green pouring out of the blinds really grabbed my attention. I had serious doubts as to whether to use black and white here and I can tell you it looks great but if color made me capture the scene in color it will go.

July 11, 2011

Ferretti Ice cream Shop in Barcelona: The Flavored Colors of Summer

Ferretti ice cream shop in Barcelona

Nothing like indulging in the lusty flavors of a given ice cream when the summer time comes.

There are lots of delicious small temptations to try during the season, but certainly there is nothing so voluptuous like a tasty ice cream. Choosing our flavor, while swimming in a sea of hedonist stimuli provoked by so many flashy colors, each of them recalling a story in the back of our mind, is by far one of the most intense food-triggered experiences of our life.

This Ferretti ice cream shop called my attention while walking the streets of Barri Gotic (carrer Boters 8 near Plaza de la Catedral). Nothing special to it except this franchise sells homemade ice cream or artisan gelato and that my friends is a luxury nowadays.

You can check a review of Ferretti in Foursquare. For more genuine Italian gelatos read this other post:
Where to have the best real Italian ice creams in Barcelona

July 05, 2011

Jack Nicholson in Papier Mache, Barcelona, Barri Gotic

Jack Nicholson in Paper Mache at Barcelona Shop

Yet another famous actor in papier mache at the same shop at carrer del Bisbe, near Plaça Sant Jaume in Barri Gotic, Barcelona, the one and only, Mr. Jack Nicholson with his eternal smile.

Dr. House who appeared in a very successful post here in Barcelona Photoblog in the past, has been moved as you see to a less favorable place in the display.

May 16, 2011

Delishop, Mallorca 241, L'Eixample, Barcelona

Delishop, Mallorca 241, L'Eixample, Barcelona [enlarge]

Sometimes it is hard to talk to you about nice shops in Barcelona without making the whole post look like a commercial. This is not an ad. You have my word on that. When I browse for places I would love to visit I enjoy reading about interesting spots and I really don't mind some promotion in posts as long as I don't smell the money. Not that I wouldn't accept it here but I prefer sponsoring on the sidebar better than an advertisement-ridden content. Once said that, allow me to show you this snapshot taken at the Delishop at carrer Mallorca right before the clerk turned his back to ask me if he could be of help. The place has nothing special to it except for the looks and that practicality implied in a take away. And that is precisely why I love the place. It is on my way to work and it comes handy when I am in a hurry. Service is good and food is properly displayed. I thought it was a very big franchise but upon visiting their web I found that they are just a couple of young entrepreneurs with an interesting story behind. I guess that made me like the place even more. Now that I give them good reviews why not suggesting the link, don't you think? Maybe I can get my chicken rolls for free!: Delishop, Mallorca 241

Note: I am really interested in knowing your opinion about giving helpful reviews and tips in Barcelona Photoblog the way a travel guide would do or not. I mean, taking pictures inside places and giving my opinion now and then against the usual neutrality of my posts in that sense. Do you have the same problem in your blogs?

April 05, 2011

Llongueras Hairdresser in Barcelona

Llongueras Hairdresser, Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona [enlarge]

I did not really know what title to choose for this image. The man facing the woman in the poster, standing under a beautiful ceiling lamp was the first thing I wanted to show but then on second thought I realized that the Llongueras hairdresser in the background, run by a well known coiffeur in the city was better for my SEO. I find this a dilemma nowadays, either you get artistic with your titles, you know, trying to express a concept with one or two words, like say, "Waiting" or you mention the obvious: "Man and Lamp". But then there is the third choice which is the most abject, trying to please search engines to stay on top. Well, I think I managed to squeeze all possible titles in the post, that is the last minute resource. The hairdresser is at Passeig de Gracia, one of the many by the same name spread around Barcelona.

March 16, 2011

Shoe Shopping in Barcelona

Shoe Shopping in Barcelona [enlarge]

Barcelona shops have been evolving from a small commerce model with scarce impact in the international arena into a more powerful network of famous brands both foreign and local which have chosen the downtown area to promote and sell their products. Passeig de Gracia for example has become the most expensive street in Barcelona and Spain partly because of the stores established along this main artery  and the success of the real state business before the crisis. I never quite understood how this process goes but money calls more money. The square meter price has skyrocketed in this part of town so only the richest can resist, the shops exhibit almost unaffordable merchandise but still somebody comes and buys it, mainly tourists with higher purchasing power and the crème de la crème of our society. Of course, you can make an exception one day and not all of them are jewelries. I guess this was not the topic that best fitted the shoe shop in the image. In fact there are many trendy and chic Barcelona shops offering attractive stuff for a reasonable price where poor mortals like us can find relief and satisfy our buying anxiety.

February 18, 2011

Rabat Jewelry and Watch Shop, Passeig de Gracia 99, Barcelona

Rabat Jewelry and Watch Shop, Passeig de Gracia 99, Barcelona [enlarge]

Rabat is a jewelry and watch shop in Barcelona. In fact, they have several stores in the city and more in Valencia and Madrid. This one in particular is at Passeig de Gracia 99. But the purpose of this post is not to promote their company. I am more interested in the perspective of those giant garden jars, the colors of last Christmas adornments on them and the particular Barcelona street scene depicted in the picture. As with many street photographs you may interpret whatever you like here and imagine your own story. To me maybe it will make sense after some years. I enjoy watching old images cause I think that like wine they get better with time.

February 05, 2011

Barber Shop at Carrer Casanova 96, Barcelona



Don't ask me why but pictures of barber shops have a certain something. Maybe because both client and barber look so concentrated, the client telling him the story of his life in a sort of confessional with no curtains or lattice partition. The barber doing his job with an eye on the haircut and his mind on his client's speech or at least that's what it seems since they never lose track. Everybody knows that barbers are a blend of priest with psychologist. My God, the things you get to confess to your barber. This barbershop in particular you will find at carrer Casanova, 96 in Barcelona. 

Update 11/09/2021: I see the picture got to be popular at the owner's website snippet on Google. That's the best that can happen to a photograph, to be useful and provide a message. Now after some years I still love this one. Generally I hate most of my pictures after some time! Here's  Lucena's Barbers link in case you wanna know the place and confess a little!

January 04, 2011

Barcelona Shop Window: Mannequin

Barcelona Shop Window: Mannequin  [enlarge]

Rebajas (sp. for sales) are coming to Barcelona next January 7th and shops are getting ready for crisis-affected consumers looking for opportunities. With this flashy display enhancing the dress on this mannequin I welcome the first week of the year, the magical time when not only the three wise men carry toys for our kids but people go on a spending spree with the genuine intention of "saving".

May 27, 2010

Hanging Market Scale in Small Barcelona Shop

Hanging Market Scale in Small Barcelona Shop [enlarge]

Hanging market scale in small Barcelona shop next to Mercat de l'Abaceria in Travessera de Gràcia. The open maize ears, those corn cobs decorated with their own husk as well as the sifters on the wall really grabbed my attention. I would say this was mostly a grain shop judging by the content although the onions would be really out of place.

March 16, 2010

Traditional Shops in Barcelona: Costumes by Menkes

Menkes Costumes Shop in Barcelona


The other day while walking along Gran Via de les Corts and near Passeig de Gracia I spotted this well decorated showcase. At first, I was just interested in the colorful display but then noticed the sign specifying the shop had been founded in 1950 and decided to google the name. It happens that the company has stores all over Spain and also in Paris or New York and not only deals with costumes but also distributes and manufactures flamenco items or tailors for the theater among other things. 

As I think some shops well deserve the free ad I give you the link and leave it up to you whether to spend your precious time following it or not: Menkes

And now that we are at it, I wonder what your opinion is about indirectly promoting brands, companies or products when writing an article due to the very nature of the content or the photograph in this case.

October 20, 2009

Barcelona Wine Stores: El Celler de la Boqueria

Barcelona Wine Stores: El Celler de la Boqueria [enlarge]

El Celler de la Boqueria (Cat. for cellar) is one of those small businesses surrounding La Boqueria stalls that you should bear in mind when visiting this famous Barcelona market. The place is run by the second generation in a family of wine connoisseurs with over 40 years experience. And I won't say more because I don't mean to advertise the shop but to sell the excellence of the Spanish and Catalan wines showcased in this beautiful corner of La Boqueria.

June 08, 2009

Escriba Pastry Shop, Rambla de les Flors, 83

Escriba Pastry Shop or Pastisseria Escribá, Rambla de les Flors, 83 [enlarge]

Pastisseria Escribà occupies today what used to be the former Casa Figueres named after the family who first established a shop here. Although it is stated that it was founded in 1820, it was originally situated at Sant Ramon street but Jaume Figueres moved into this new establishment in 1842. The building was refurbished in 1902 by stage designer Ros i Güell. We should say that the Figueres family used to sell pasta and semolina so this was not always a pastry shop. The building is a beautiful example of Art Nouveau specially because of the rich interior decoration. On the façade the trencadis mosaic prevails along with some ornamental stonework. See it for yourself on this detail located on the corner of La Rambla and Carrer Petxina (petxina is Catalan for shell). The Escribá family bought the house in 1986 and from then on it has become one of the best pastry shops in Barcelona. The exact address is Rambla de les Flors, 83. Escribá also owns another well known pastry shop in Gran Via and a strategically located restaurant in front of the sea where besides the exquisite paella, desserts are a must. Escriba is known as the Mozart of chocolate but that is part of another story. Of course we refer to Antonio Escribà the founder and master. But there is also the son, Christian, a fourth-generation pastry chef or maître-pâtissier who owns the pastry shop in La Rambla at present and has developed an art of his own: patisserie jewels, collections half way between fashion and confectionery. Please read more about these renown artists by following the link above. Check an older post on Escriba Pastry Shop here.

June 06, 2009

Camiseria Xanco at Rambla, 78 - Selling Shirts Since 1820

Camiseria Xanco [enlarge]

In 1820 Antoni Cotchet i Nin founded old Casa Cotchet which he left to his former employers Josep Xancó i Farreras and Joan Bel that got in charge. Xancò who came from a wealthy family in Caldes de Malavella, Girona eventually took over the shop after Joan Bel resigned in 1921. In the 40s, Josep Xancó died, and the shop was inherited by his daughter Herminia Xancó and subsequently by her son Tristan Xancó Kussrrowc, who is in charge at present and has expanded the business. This is a sidewalk metal plaque in front of the store in which the city hall celebrated the 173rd anniversary of this unique historical shop in Barcelona. It reads "Camiseria Xancó 1820 - 1993 to all those years serving the city". Soon I will show you the place in detail.

October 11, 2008

Monge, Philately and Numismatic Store, Barri Gotic, Barcelona

Monge, Philately and Numismatic Store, Barri Gotic, Barcelona

If you ever collected postage stamps then this image will bring back some memories. Come to think of it, stamps are just stamps, a tiny jagged sticky-on-one-side piece of paper but this obsession for antique or rare "pieces of paper" is more than a hobby for many people. I remember well how I used to collect them when I was a child. I had this album that had the black and white image of the future stamp you were suppose to find and stick in place after buying or trading with other collectors. I had some rare stamps of China which were a real beauty, generally with socialist allegories on them and other stamp collections organized by countries. I also had reproductions of the first stamp, the Penny Black issued on May 06 1840, as the one you see engraved on the glass of this remarkable epoch philately and numismatic store (A. Monge, carrer Boters, 2) at the Gothic quarter of Barcelona. But why did they create stamps after all? Postage used to be paid upon delivery and it happened that many letters were rejected by the addressees so a pre-paid delivery system was imposed in 1837 in which the stamp became the proof of payment.

Now you can share music with me: barnasound or listen while you browse via blip.fm player on my sidebar.

August 02, 2008

Tom Waits in Papier Mache, Barcelona

Tom Waits in Papier Mache, Barcelona

To continue with my series of papier mache celebrities, I'd like to feature today, Mr. Tom Waits. Remember there were other famous characters or actors that appeared in Barcelona Photoblog in the past: John Lennon, Marlon Brandon as Don Corleone, Hugh Laurie as Dr. House and Woody Allen accompanied by Keith Richards.

February 13, 2008

Lennon, John - Killing The Dove of Peace - Papier Mache Figure

John Lennon in Papier Mache,Barcelona

How did you feel the day they shot Lennon? How many times have you felt that sad for someone you didn't know personally? That was one of the few moments in my life when I shed a tear for a "total stranger". With this figure of John Lennon in papier mache I want to honor his memory. If you want to remember him for only five minutes read the lyrics of the song below. I leave you with a final question: Why did Mark David Chapman had to kill the dove of peace?

Mind Games

Were playing those mind games together
Pushing the barriers, planting seeds
Playing the mind guerrilla
Chanting the mantra, peace on earth
We all been playing those mind games forever
Some kinda druid dudes lifting the veil
Doing the mind guerrilla
Some call it magic, the search for the grail
Love is the answer and you know that for sure
Love is a flower, you got to let it, you got to let it grow
So keep on playing those mind games together
Faith in the future, outta the now
You just cant beat on those mind guerrillas
Absolute elsewhere in the stones of your mind
Yeah we're playing those mind games forever
Projecting our images in space and in time
Yes is the answer and you know that for sure
Yes is surrender, you got to let it, you got to let it go
So keep on playing those mind games together
Doing the ritual dance in the sun
Millions of mind guerrillas
Putting their soul power to the karmic wheel
Keep on playing those mind games forever
Raising the spirit of peace and love
Love...
(I want you to make love, not war, I know you've heard it before)
Web Analytics