In recent years, closures of historic stores in Barcelona have been increasingly frequent. However, sometimes the unexpected happens: a business that seemed destined to disappear is reborn thanks to the passion of those who believe in its history.
Cover photo: @ Francesc Melcion
Such is the case with La Estrella, the city's oldest pastry shop, which celebrates its bicentennial in May this year. Located at Calle Nou de la Rambla 32, in the heart of the Raval, just a few steps from the Palau Güell, this pastry shop threatened to close for good when its owner decided to retire. But fate had other plans.
Two young women with a mission
Anna Campos and Judit Servent, both 25 and friends since their secondary school days, decided not to let the story of La Estrella die out. Former employees of the bakery, they saw an opportunity to bring it back to life and succeeded with courage and determination.
Anna, reports La Vanguardia, found out about the closure of the bakery almost by accident: in June she had gone to buy Coca-Cola for the St. John's Day party, without suspecting that La Estrella would soon be closing its doors. When she heard the news, she contacted her former owner and decided to take over the reins of the place, involving her friend Judit. In October they received the keys and, after a month of hard work, the bakery resumed operations.
A legacy to cherish
Reopening a business with such a long history has not been easy. La Estrella is classified as an emblematic spot, with a high level of protection, and still retains its original decor. The pastries displayed in the windows catch the attention of passersby and make the mouths water for anyone who enters.
Among the most popular specialties are chocolate croissants, those filled with apple and cinnamon or with cheese and pistachio. On weekends, the demand for roscones de nata and brazos de gitano is very high. By popular demand, Anna and Judit have also reintroduced typical sweets such as coca de vidre, buñuelos de viento, and cabello de ángel pastries.
A passion born as a child
For Anna, pastry making is much more than a job: it is a passion born as a child. Her mother gave her a book of cookies and cakes, and from that moment she fell in love with the world of pastry making. She studied at the Gremio pastry school in Barcelona and gained experience working in a pastry shop in Ireland and opening a gluten-free pastry business in the Eixample.
Judit, on the other hand, had started studying physics before deciding to pursue this adventure with her friend. Now she is in charge of public sales and customer relations. “It is an honor to be at the helm of a business that is part of Barcelona's history and culture, ”, she says.
Work and sacrifice to keep a tradition alive
Reopening La Estrella has meant many challenges, but also a lot of satisfaction. Anna starts her day at six in the morning and finishes at eight at night. She continues to use the original vaulted oven, now fueled by gas, to ensure the quality and tradition of her creations. Despite the hard work, the two young entrepreneurs are enthusiastic and determined to make the bakery thrive. “Sometimes we look at the store and still don't believe it, but we are happy and convinced we can make it!”, Anna says.
A sweet future for La Estrella
Looking ahead, Anna and Judit want to keep tradition alive, but without sacrificing innovation. Anna is already thinking about a special cake to celebrate La Estrella's 200th anniversary and wants to create a cake inspired by the Tarta de Barcelona, created for the 1992 Olympics. The rebirth of La Estrella is not just the story of a store reopening, but the symbol of a city enhancing its historical and cultural heritage. Thanks to Anna and Judit, the Raval can still count on one of its sweetest and most authentic corners. La Estrella's bicentennial will, no doubt, be an anniversary with a special flavor.
