39 Comments
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Practical Globetrotters's avatar

What a fascinating place! This needs to go on our list to visit next time we are in Madrid!

Andrea Eschen's avatar

Definitely! And even try out the restaurant.

Lisa Rizzo's avatar

Thanks for the history. Another place to visit when I return to Madrid.

Andrea Eschen's avatar

Yes, you and better yet we must.

Thank you for reading and commenting.

Les Longino's avatar

....and another addition to the list for our next visit to Madrid 😀

Andrea Eschen's avatar

For sure! I hope you have a long list.

Margo Warren's avatar

That place is so cool and amazing!

Andrea Eschen's avatar

It certainly was, Margo. Thank heavens it has a new life now and one that I hope will carry it far into the future.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

Evelyn Landry's avatar

Another hidden gem!

Andrea Eschen's avatar

It was. This gems pop up more frequently than expected.

Thank you for reading and commenting.

Sabrina Simpson's avatar

Wow, what a perfect destination for Ivan and Eva to surprise you!! When you started I thought perhaps you were going to have to chose some fixings before you went on for your drink...And how fun to finally 'meet' those two :).

How fortuitous of them to take you to a place which has an amazing story to tell and which then you shared with us. It's a wonderful store to look at (all hardware stores are wonderful in my mind) and I loved learning about its evolution. Thanks for a delightful, happy tale.

Andrea Eschen's avatar

Yes, leave it to them. They always have something wonderful up their sleeve. Once we went canoing with them on a river to see hundreds of a special species of vultures. That means a lot coming from me, since I wasn't, until then, a big fan of vultures.

On your next trip, we can go here with Jayne as we get our hardware together for our writing excursions.

Sabrina Simpson's avatar

Sounds like a perfect pre-trip outing!

Cesar Cesar's avatar

Must visit ❤️

Andrea Eschen's avatar

For sure!!! Among many other places. We hope to see you soon.

Jayne Marshall's avatar

Ohh, I know that place - it's great! Glad you discovered it too. History follows you everywhere you go, it seems...

Andrea Eschen's avatar

Another place for us to go (again) to resolve our writing dilemmas and talk about life, the world, sisters, Madrid, and the hundreds of other things we discuss, mi querida.

Jayne Marshall's avatar

Me apunto ♥️😊

Andrea Eschen's avatar

Vale. Estas apuntada.

Martha Osowski's avatar

Oh wow Andrea, as many others have commented, this definitely goes on the list of places we look forward to visiting when we’re in Madrid! And totally agree with Sabrina that all hardware stores are great, so how much better is one that’s now a lovely place for food and drinks!! Love the history and Madrid’s recognition of it. Thanks for sharing this!

Andrea Eschen's avatar

We already have a long list, Martha. You're going to need to extend your visit by a few weeks. It was a great place. And terrific company.

Lisa O's avatar

Charming! I'd love to go here.

Andrea Eschen's avatar

It was wonderful. Appreciating the old and being in the new was a treat. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Batch Processing's avatar

Andrea! This sounds amazing! So happy to see your Substack. Ashley told me about it!

Andrea Eschen's avatar

This is the place to be, isnt' it?! I look forward to seeing yours too. Thanks for getting in touch. Best to you.

Joseph Dwyer's avatar

Wow! Fabulous story, place and pictures. Thank You!

Betsey Drake's avatar

Like Sabrina I was sure Ivan was taking first to choose some fitting fittings before quenching your thirst!! Did you also enjoy the Michelin Star?

Another for our list for Madrid 2.0!! Xx

Andrea Eschen's avatar

Madrid 2.0 is filling up fast. You'd better spend a longer time here next visit.

We didn't enjoy the Michelin star but they took us to another restaurant for paella. They and Fabio were kind enough to settle for a vegetarian paella. I'm not a great aficionada of paella but this was delicious. We'll savor the Michelin star food another time.

Food and Fiesta's avatar

Oh, how wonderful. I miss these kinds of shops. What a great idea to turn it into a bar. Another place on my list of things to see. 😍

Andrea Eschen's avatar

Let me know when your list turns into action and we can go together!

Amy Macpherson's avatar

How cool! Adding this to my list of places to go! Love the concept

Andrea Eschen's avatar

It's a very cool place. The restaurant also deserves a visit. That's on my list for next time.

Louise Haynes's avatar

What a find!🍷🫒🔨🗝️

Andrea Eschen's avatar

It truly was! I love the icons in your message. Very apt.