Being one of the oldest cities in the world capital Lisbon has managed to acquire a modern look at the same time preserving the historical image. While many up-to-date shops have emerged in the city, there are shops, which have the spirit of the long passed and somehow forgotten years still soaring in their air and notably, through all these years their fame has not decreased. On the contrary, they have become more known and have gained more respect due to their commitment and love to their work.
Casa das Velas do Loreto
Casa das Velas do Loreto (Candle house) is for everyone. It’s a famous shopping venue for many Lisbon tourists looking for creative ideas. What does the shop offer? Basically, candles and candle accessories. Have you ever thought that candles could make a good souvenir as well?
Casa das Velas do Loreto offers candles of any type, size, color and aroma. The shop is so nicely decorated that at some point you might think you are visiting a candle museum with diverse colors and not a shop. Note that the number of candles goes beyond thousand, imagine what a scene they create.
The candles come with meanings and themes. There are funny candles, which can be good for friends, or a naughty sibling. There are candles for special occasions, like wedding or baptizing. Also, some of the candles spread energy as you lit them.
The history of the shop goes back to the 19th century. The shop first opened its doors in 1879. Since the day of its establishment until today the shopCasa das Velas do Loreto has been managed by the same family. How could it happen? Simply because when you love something you fight for it and don’t just lock the doors and throw the keys away.
Luvaria Ulisses
Luvaria Ulisses — A glove store serving the Lisbon elite, official figures, popular artists… The shop was opened a few years after World War 1, in 1925. The founder was Joaquim Rodriquez Simoes, a businessman who was more than aware of the habits of Lisbon people.
The shop was opened in Chiado. If you are only starting to explore Lisbon, then you should know that it used to be the noblest commercial area in the city. The name of the shop comes from Ulysses mythology.
Considering the high rank of its customers, Luvaria Ulisses was committed to offering best and exclusive products. The gloves were and until today are being manufactured by professionals and only the best leather is used.
The store has been operating for around 90 years but neither the atmosphere nor the decoration and interior of the shop have changed. The times have changed and outside the store lots of things have been replaced but the store with its amazing gloves remains the same.
Chapelaria Azevedo Rua
A person who is into business and into creating something really valuable will overcome every failure and start over. That’s exactly what a producer of wine did after his vineyards in Douro were ruined by grape phylloxera. That person was Manuel Aquino de Azevedo who arrived in Lisbon in 1886 to open a shop to earn his living. The shop was opened and hats were its primary focus.
Chapelaria Azevedo Rua offered hats for both men and women. But it was more popular with the male segment than the female segment. Women’s interest towards the shop’s hats was observed many years later, in late 1980s when Manuel’s descendants invested a certain amount of money to give new breath to the hat business.
Presently, the shop offers a large variety of hats — modern and vintage. Also, enthusiastic visitors are welcome to purchase an umbrella from the shop to complement their overall look. Let’s agree, hats could be an interesting and unique gift from a foreign country.
Lastly, while these three stores focus on particular products, they have two main things in common — first of all, they pass from generation to generation, and secondly, none of the founders would have believed their business venture would be keep on operating until the 21st century.
