A grocery store is a business that sells products of all kinds, which originated in the years after the Spanish landed in America, after which edible products began to arrive from the other side of the ocean for sale in Spain. Although this type of trade reached global scale for several decades, the name "grocer" and its concept are preserved.
The Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy has two meanings for "groceries". First he defines it as an adjective to indicate that something is or is understood on the other side or on the other side of the sea.
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The second definition of "groceries" is a genre or an edible that is easily preserved that is brought from the other side of the sea. It also clarifies that it is used more as a plural masculine noun, synonymous with fish market or grocery store.
Concept
The concept of a “grocery” business is based on a family store that sells basic products such as oil, sausages, preserves or legumes. This type of business exists in all parts of the world, but in Spain they are called this way.
The origin of these businesses dates back to the early years of the 19th century, when the "groceries" had their peak selling products from overseas colonies that were still under Spanish rule.
Although their aesthetics were far from a luxury business, they supplied citizens with exotic, exclusive products, generally preserved in oil or vinegar.
The "groceries" were run by families, with parents running the business with the help of an employee. They flourished mainly in port cities of Spain, such as Seville, Cádiz or Barcelona.
Other functions
In addition to selling products, the “groceries” served as a meeting place for friends and some had a table area for people to sit down to drink wine or eat some products.
Others even had bars for dispensing drinks. These last two types were the minority, since most of the “groceries” were ordinary shops.
Present
With the passing of the years and the flourishing of market chains and supermarkets during the 20th century, the “groceries” were losing ground in Spain, leaving a few in historical areas, old city centers or in small towns.
However, at present the “vintage” wave that reached various items also reached the “grocery stores”, since several of them have re-emerged.
Some follow the original concept of selling products only, not from other parts of the world (something that supermarket chains also do), but rather regional homemade products of limited production that are difficult to find elsewhere. In addition, they market most of their products loosely, so it is purchased by weight.
Other current “groceries” offer hot dishes, differing from the original ones, which did not have a kitchen. Thus, the traditional Spanish tapas are offered in these, which are small pots of various products that are sold there.
Finally, there are the "groceries" adapted to a bar. They do not sell foods like the originals, but take the physiognomy of these old shops to house a bar or resto-bar, with a built-in kitchen to offer a gastronomic experience adapted to the “grocery” concept.
Famous groceries
Some of the most recognized and traditional “grocery” stores in Spain are “El Riojano” and “Casa Cuenca”, in Coruña; “Queviures Múrria”, in Barcelona; "Ultramarinos Gregorio Martín", in Bilbano; "Miña Terra", in Cádiz; “Mantequería Andrés” and “Jamonería Bartolomé”, in Madrid; “Ultramarinos Alonso” and “Casa Eugenio”, in Seville; "The Crying Child", from Valencia; “Ultramarinos Carro”, in Santiago de Compostela or “Ultramarinos La Confianza”, in Huesca.
References
- Ultramarine. (2019). Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy. Recovered from: dle.rae.es
- "Many names for a single concept." Recovered from: ultrasyrultras.com
"24 mythical grocery stores that resist in the XXI century". Recovered from: elcomidista.elpais.com