Open the new gastronomic space of Camarasa Fruits in Francesc Macià

In May 2021, the emblematic Padeví shoe store in Plaza Francesc Macià in Barcelona closed its doors. A year later, and a few months behind the initial plan, this Friday, May 6, the central premises are reborn transformed into a gastronomic temple conceived by Marc Taribó, third generation of the family that owns Camarasa Fruits.

This Barcelona-based company specializing in the sale of fruit, vegetables, and gourmet products has reconverted the old shoe store into a multi-space that combines the functions of a store, restaurant, and take-away establishment for food and rotisserie chickens. The remodeling, which has preserved all the original architectural elements of the premises, will not leave anyone indifferent and has involved an investment exceeding two million euros.

The objective of Camarasa's new flagship is to become Barcelona's new foodie destination and the reference point for residents of the Diagonal-Francesc Macià-Turó Parc axis when it comes to buying fruits and vegetables, all kinds of preserves and gourmet products, high-quality charcuterie items, cheeses, and wines. All of this, combined with different bars and small dining spaces within the premises and accompanied by a large outdoor terrace.

The 350-square-meter establishment will have very extended hours, opening every day of the week, and its different atmospheres will change depending on the time of day, since at night, for example, the store area will give way to the restaurant activity.

The remodeling has completely changed the exterior appearance of the premises, as the old Padeví had a facade covered in black marble and large golden decorations, while Camarasa has opted to combine a light beige color, in tune with the rest of the facade, with black enclosures and windows. The two Doric-style columns that preside over the emblematic main entrance have been preserved.

The interior of the premises retains the previous combination of blacks and golds, with striking lamps, black marble columns, and stairs to go up or down to the different areas. The first thing one will find upon entering will be the exhibition area for fruits and vegetables, the main product of Camarasa Fruits. To the right is the rostisserie, a space with a striking rotisserie chicken oven, specializing in grilled rice dishes, and where all kinds of prepared dishes can be purchased for takeout.

To the left are the stairs to go up to the wine shop or down to the gourmet area, presided over by a semicircular gastronomic bar with high stools where one can have a drink in the middle of the store. A small space is also reserved for the sale of pastry products, and another surprise comes when descending to the lower floor, where the charcuterie and the cheese aging cellar are located. This floor, characterized by a Catalan vaulted ceiling, will also function as a restaurant, so that diners will have the sensation of being in a wine cellar, surrounded by cheeses and hams.

To optimize the operation of the outdoor terrace and limit the traffic of waiters entering and exiting the store, everything will be served from a dumbwaiter hidden in the facade itself that connects the kitchen with the square. A curiosity: a beer tap has also been installed at street level that will be hidden when the premises close.

This is the most ambitious project undertaken so far by the Taribó family company, which has experienced strong growth in recent years thanks to the opening of stores in L'illa Diagonal and in El Corte Inglés centers in Plaza Catalunya and Diagonal. With a turnover of more than five million euros, Camarasa Fruits is the reference greengrocer in the upper area of Barcelona. Its general director, Marc Taribó, had been looking for an emblematic space in the city center for some time to implement this multi-concept business. With the pandemic, the opportunity arose to rent the premises at a "reasonable" price ---20,000 euros per month--- compared to other times, and he decided to take advantage of it, convinced that it is an establishment located in a prime area, with great visibility, and in a neighborhood totally aligned with the profile of the public the company targets.