«Bringing soul and life to the city of Loulé» is what the new concessionaires of Café Calcinha, the emblematic space located in Praça da República, which officially reopened to the public this Tuesday, January 3, intend to do.
After months and months closed, the Underwear once again serves as a socializing space for locals and tourists, who, whether they know its history or not, come to enjoy this place in Loulé, which is part of the Route of Cafés with History of Portugal.
«The main reason that made us want to come here is the fact that this is a café full of history, one of the oldest in the country. It is the most iconic café in the city and I think it makes perfect sense for it to be open», says Ricardo Vaz, the businessman responsible for the coffee concession.
José João and Vítor Ferreira couldn't agree more. They have been regulars at the cafe for decades, stressing that «it is a great joy to see Calcinha open again».
«With this cafe closed, something important is missing from this street. The reopening is very well achieved and what I want is that whoever is in charge of the business takes it forward and always with quality», says Vítor Ferreira to the Sul Informação.
The Calcinha, which is owned by the Câmara de Loulé, it had been closed for several months. After a first tender did not have any proposals for the concession, Ricardo Vaz, with his father, Fernando Silva, and stepmother, Sara Carvalho, decided to enroll in the second tender and ended up being responsible for the reopening.
At just 33 years old, Ricardo already has a long experience in the restaurant business, and opening a business in Loulé is nothing new.
«We have another space in the city, the 8100 Café, in Parque Municipal, opened four years ago, and I can say that it is going very well. There we already hold several cultural events and we will continue to hold them here, adapted to the space, of course», he reveals to our newspaper.
Regarding the cultural agenda, Café Calcinha will present a monthly podcast, which will have as guests people who, over the years, have frequented the café and who will tell their stories.
In addition, there will be poetry nights and some stand-up comedy. “The rest will be a surprise. We go little by little, step by step, also seeing what the city wants and needs», explains the entrepreneur, who, with this opening, wants to maintain tradition by combining it with innovation.
Those who visit Calcinha already have at their disposal «a coffee experience», being able to choose beans from Ethiopia, Colombia or Brazil, freshly ground. To go with it, there is no shortage of custard tarts and the typical puff pastry from Loulé (now also available in a vegan version). Those who prefer craft beer can choose Marafada or Nova Ida (produced in Loulé).
The meal menu is still being worked on, but anyone who wants to eat soup and the dish of the day can also do so. Dinners will be available from May, when the Café will close later.
With its doors open for just five days, Calcinha has already registered dozens and dozens of visits.
«It has gone very well and is exceeding expectations. We have received many people who used to go to Calcinha, others who were not used to coming here, but who, because they frequented 8100, went down, and we have also received many tourists», says Ricardo Vaz, stressing that «the funniest of these days has been to see the multiculturalism and age difference of the people who visit us».
Currently, Café Calcinha is open from Tuesday to Sunday, between 8 am and 00 pm.
Photos: Mariana Sedge | Sul Informação
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