There are stores in the Canary Islands that are over 100 years old and still operating.
In La Laguna, in the Canary Islands, there are unique shops with over a century of history that continue traditions, including the Calzados Víctor Núñez shoe store, a former hotel converted into Dulcería La Laguna, the Dulcería La Catedral sweets shop, the Gofio La Molineta "La Estrella de Oro" mill, and the Piensos Arturo agricultural supply store.
La Laguna is a special city in the Canary Islands, unlike any other. And the shops here are also unique. It's a place with its own character, especially in the historic center, where many old shops still stand, despite modernity and globalization.
Here are five shops in La Laguna that are not only over 100 years old, but also still true to their traditions.
- Calzados Víctor Núñez (Calle Herradores, 74) – "the shop with the longest history in San Cristóbal de La Laguna".
It opened in 1865 as a hat shop. Later, they began selling shoes and accessories for men and women. Their main focus is a personal approach to each client. They believe that this is what has helped them last so long.
- It used to be a hotel. A building with history: it was built in 1760. A captain, a bishop, and then a college lived here.
In 1885, a hotel was opened here, which welcomed guests for many years, preserving the atmosphere of comfort and family warmth.
- In August 2024, the hotel closed, but a few months later the doors reopened, but as Dulcería La Laguna. They have preserved the spirit of the place, which has been operating for over 110 years. This is a family business in the center of La Laguna, on the corner of San Juan and Carrera streets, near the cathedral. For over a century, traditional Canarian sweets have been sold here.
Dulcería La Laguna took over the business, preserving traditions and even some employees, such as Carmen, who worked at Dulcería La Catedral for 16 years.
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Dulcería La Catedral opened its doors in 1914. It was founded by Doña Rafaela, who came from Cadiz with her military husband. Initially, it was a small shop where handmade sweets were made.
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In the San Honorio area, there used to be a mill called Gofio La Molineta "La Estrella de Oro". It was built at the end of the 19th century (1886). Isidoro Ortega, a famous builder, made a real revolution in milling.
He applied his "Ortega System" – a new design and technique, adding a system for rotating the blades. It was a new type of windmill, never before seen in the Canary Islands.
In 1970, La Molineta was the first to start packaging gofio made from corn and wheat, first for local shops and then for other islands. And in 1999, they entered the international market for the first time.
- Piensos Arturo is a family business that is over 100 years old. It is located in Tejina and has been operating since 1907. The business has been passed down from generation to generation, updating and adapting to the market.
The shop sells everything for agriculture: plant protection products, fertilizers, seeds, potatoes, and film for greenhouses. There is also a large selection of livestock products: feed for chickens, rabbits, pigs, and various accessories.
For pets, there is food for dogs, cats, and birds, as well as cages, aquariums, and other items. In addition, you can find charcoal, barbecues, and paella pans here.