You don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone. During the weeks of confinement the way to the nearest supermarket lead through a ghost town. Now that life returns to the streets of Palma we realize even more what we missed. The encounter of people is the heart of a city. And in order to meet each other we not only need the freedom to move. We also need places to go to. Public places, cafés, bars and restaurants. It’s true, the stunning architecture makes La Ciudad unique. But it’s the local businesses that keep it alive and distinctive. And not global chains, shopping centers or online stores.
Supporting your local is more than an act of solidarity in times of crisis. It helps to preserve employment and culture. And with culture I mean all that enriches our daily life. A chat with somebody you bump in (figuratively) at Colmado Sant Jaume or your next neighborhood store when you buy your groceries. The delight to find seasonal fruit and vegetable on the market. Like the super delicious peaches that have been cultivated organically on Mallorca, just like all other produce on Palma’s Mercat Ecològic.
And there is more to local business than tourism and agriculture. The womenswear of Suite 13 and heaven lab is designed on Mallorca. Over the last years, the two eco fashion brands have been successful in many European countries. But there’s no better place to browse through the recent collection than the Suite 13 store in the heart of Palma. Okay, I would make an exception here. For those who cannot come to the island right now their new online store is a neat option.
Getting your hair cut online though would be rather difficult. Some of us experimented with online tutorials. Fortunately, there were some more weeks before we could leave the house again. Only kidding, obviously. I just love to go to the hairdresser from time to time. And there are a few in Palma that offer much more than a haircut. In El Terreno, Los Oficios Terrestres combine hairdressing with a book shop. While Botons embedded their beauty treatments in a concept store that really became a go-to place in the barrio. Accordingly, the motto above Botons’ entrance reads: Puerto abierta, vecino que entra.
When it comes to menswear MEWS is still my favorite. Streetwear designed in Palma, manufactured in Europe and sold exclusively at La Principal and the new addict store on C/ Pelaires. It’s the kind of clothes that work for almost any occasion. The equivalent when it comes to technical equipment for me is my smartphone. Good thing however there are still people who use real cameras. If you are into photography there is always some gear or other that you are interested in. As the affix suggests Foto Ruano Pro is the place for professional photographers and those who want to become pros.
One of my favorite outdoor activities is cycling. And it’s actually a road bike that brought me to Mallorca. Not literally, of course, but the perfect cycling conditions were one reason to move to the island. Where I found my bike at Ciclos Blando, a regular bike store founded almost 100 years ago. During the week Miguel Blando fits race bikes but he also does small repairs for the neighbors’ wheels. I wondered why the shop is closed on Saturdays until I understood that this is the only day for Miguel to ride his own bike.
Whether you want to cover your hair when it was ruffled by the helmet or just protect your head from the sun, Casa Julià offers the largest selection of hats on Mallorca. The emblematic store on C/ Sindicat has been around since 1898. Silvia and Daniel Estela make sure that the family tradition is kept – and that you get the right hat to underline your personality.
I could go on like that for hours. But I am sure you got the concept. Compra local, support your local. Online stores might seem to be convenient. The broad variety at the superstores is tempting, too, sometimes. But why would you want to choose between dozens of items when finally you have to drive to the outskirts to buy an everyday thing. Just because the hardware store or stationery shop in the neighborhood had to close down. These are the moments when we realize that maybe we could have helped to keep them up and running. You don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone. When we think about it, we are well aware of this. Let’s just try to act accordingly whenever and wherever we can afford it. 
