Discovering local shops is one of the greatest holiday pleasures. Paula Flynn of Theshopkeepers.com finds shops that perfectly capture the spirit of their locales…
Photograph MATILDE ESPIRITO SANTO
ARMAZÉM DAS CALDAS, Campo de Santa Clara, Lisbon, Portugal.
On the square where the twice-weekly flea market, Feira da Ladra, takes place, on the outskirts of the Alfama district, is pottery shop Armazém das Caldas. Colourful traditional ceramics spill out of the shop onto the pavement. Choose from tableware and decorative objects in an assortment of shapes such as swallows, frogs, and sardines.
Photograph AXEL AND ASH
ATLANTIS BOOKS, Nomikos Street, Oia, Greece.
Established in 2004 with a mission to bring great art, literature, and conversation to one of the most beautiful environments in the world, Atlantis Books has successfully achieved its goal, offering books in several languages and a terrace with a stunning view of the Santorini Caldera.
Photograph ATELIER 1935
ATELIER 1935, Market Street, Paros, Greece.
Named for the year it was founded, Greek sandal company Atelier 1935 is a third- generation family business. Handmade leather sandals in a multitude of styles for both men and women are the perfect foot attire for Greek Island adventures.
Photograph PANOS CHASAPIS
RODOZAXARI PARADOSIAKA PROIONTA, Andros, Greece.
The eye-catching basket-bedecked Rodozachari store, on the main pedestrian street of Andros Town, is a family-owned specialty grocery store where local handmade and hand- packaged produce jostle for space alongside local artisan handcrafts.
Photograph COURTESY SAL DE IBIZA
SAL DE IBIZA THE STORE, San Jose, Ibiza and Santa Eulalia, Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain.
Two wonderful lifestyle Sal de Ibiza shops, encircled by signature turquoise picket fences, sell much more than the natural sea salt harvested at the southern tip of the island. As well as a delicious range of gourmet treats, you will find beachwear, home accessories, tableware and books.
Photograph JAVIER FERRER VIDAL
SIMPLE, Carrer del Palau, Valencia, Spain.
Old-school general store is the vibe at this emporium selling traditionally crafted Spanish goods, from toys to beach umbrellas, baskets to ceramics. Items crowd shelves and tables, hang from the ceiling, and decorate the shopfront.
Photograph MICHAEL P H CLIFFORD
VIVA ANTONIO, Via Giuseppe Orlandi, Anacapri, Capri.
There’s an old saying that no trip to Capri is complete without three souvenirs: Capri sandals, limoncello liqueur, and local perfume. Jackie Kennedy helped make Capri sandals legendary and though she bought hers at Canfora we recommend a visit to the charming workshop of Master Viva Antonio, who hand-makes sandals to measure.
Photograph COURTESY OF EMPORIO SIRENUSE
EMPORIO SIRENUSE, Via Cristoforo Colombo, Positano.
Across from the iconic Le Sirenuse Hotel on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Carla Sersales has captured the chic, understated elegance of the hotel in her two boutiques, established in 1990. Carla has her own range of caftans, silk summer dresses and easy separates that offer a fresh, nuanced, romantic take on Positano’s legendary dolce vita.
Photograph CHARLOTTE REISS
LE COMPTOIR DE L’ÍLE DE RÉ, Avenue Victor Bouthillier, Saint-Martin-de- Ré.
Located in the fortified port town of St Martin on Íle de Ré (on UNESCO’s World Heritage List), Le Comptoir is the perfect holiday general store with a variety of goods for the whole family – from toys and tableware to scarves, dresses, baskets and buckets, there’s something for everyone.
Photograph RAMONA BISCOVEANU
BAZAR DU PANIER, Rue du Panier, Marseille.
A beautiful, blue-shuttered shopfront with a vintage sign reveals the perfect home for designer My-Linh Mary’s clothing and jewellery brand, Bird Song, a collection inspired by travel memories and dreams of other worlds.
Photograph LA MAISON PERNOISE
LA MAISON PERNOISE, Avenue de la Gare, Pernes-les-Fontaines, Aix-en- Provence and 1348 avenue de la Mer-Raymond Dugrand, Montpellier.
A Mediterranean lifestyle store with ethnic touches. where furniture and accessories are displayed in rich, layered displays. There are two stores – one in the historic town of Aix-en-Provence, that boasts more than 40 fountains, and the other in the vibrant Marché du Lez in Montpellier.
THE GLOSS and Theshopkeepers.com launch 2022 Best Shops Ireland campaign
Travelling around Ireland this summer? If you discover a very special shop you want to support by sharing, submit your nomination using the form on thegloss.ie/bestshops/. Or follow us on Instagram @theglossmag and tag your favourite shop using #TheGlossBestShops.
