Carrer Cera 7
In a part of El Raval where everyone knows everyone and tourists do not often venture, a very cute shop has recently opened its doors. Fancy joining me for a visit? Ok, come with me!
On Carrer Cera number 7 we find La Botigueta del Raval, a shop dedicated to selling healthy products for your body, both on the inside and out. Upon arrival we are greeted with flowers. Plastic ones, in water jugs weighted down with bricks – an indication of the quirky decor that we’ll find inside…
Flower jugs
Nuts and teas
Discarded pallets, wooden boxes and crates, hemp bags and straw hats, as well as black & white photographs are the elements used to create a cosy atmosphere in this lovely shop.
B&W images
A reclaimed carpenter’s table has been used as counter, and several glass jars hang from the ceiling filled with various types of pasta – for sale, of course – and straw bags, hanging from pretty hooks are used to display the many different spices that are on offer here.
Pulses and spices
Made to measure
A measuring tape has been used to decorate the door handle (how cute is this?) and reclaimed wood as cladding for the walls in various parts of the shop.
Flours and dried fruit
All items are indicated in chalk writing on the brown blackboard walls, or on black wooden signs. The result is definitely rustic but at the same time very contemporary and tasteful. A decorating and styling job well done!
Green touch
Raw peanuts
Dried fruits and nuts
But enough waxing lyrical about the decor! What do they sell, you may ask? La Botigueta del Raval sells all kinds of natural products (many of which have been sourced locally): pulses, dried fruit, flours, nuts, virgin olive oil, honey a wide range of teas and also spices.
Hats full of tea
Very soon, they will be adding fair trade coffee (both whole grain and ground) and jams in a variety of tropical flavours to their range of healthy products.
Honey and oils
They will also show customers how to make spiced or herby oils to use for their cooking. Meanwhile a blackboard at the back of the shop shows a yummie recipe to inspire their customers.
Free recipe
Hearts a plenty
Natural soaps
Natural soaps, handmade by a friend, are also on offer, and the lovely Natalia (co-proprietor of the shop) has informed me that towards the autumn she will start selling more beauty products, all 100% natural, of course, sourced from Morocco by another friend…
Lovely lady
Shopping list
Had I mentioned that all their products are organic and where possible, sourced from fair trade producers?
Spices
Check out the lovely way in which their spices are displayed – each with their own aluminium scoop – in a pretty basket.
Basket full of curry
Pulses and rice
Tarp lined hemp sacks contain pulses and different rices, and on the signs is indicated where they have been sourced.
Orange lentils
Pots of pasta
The hanging pots of pasta, each with their clothes peg and a card indicating its contents: quinoa, cous cous, bulgur wheat, whole grain penne, etc.
X marks the spot
So, what do you think of this cute shop? I am so happy I discovered it a couple of weeks ago, and I wish them much luck and many faithful customers from around the neighborhood! They are in a part of El Raval where I don’t often go, but I suspect this is about to change….
Pallet glory
Tell me what you think...