Tony Zapatero

It’s sounds like a cliche or marketing blurb to say it, but when you need shoes repaired, Tony Zapatero really is the best in Ronda, and the friendliest too, his large frame fills the store, and his gentle giant smile immediately disarms you, jokes and laughs are shared.

Located at Calle Sevilla 42, Ronda’s second shopping street, Tony’s shop doesn’t immediately strike you as being a place where shoes are repaired, the window is filled with suitcases and handbags, but look to the right of the door and you’ll see where Tony’s heart lies; you should see a stone carving embedded in the wall featuring a cobbler making shoes.

Tony is proud of his profession, and scattered around the shop you’ll see several statuettes of cobblers hard at work, but Tony explains that making shoes to order is a hard business and the demand just isn’t there anymore. However, like any true professional, Tony still has all the equipment needed, so you know he can repair just about any fault, from heels and soles, to new buckles, studs and clasps, he can even stitch leather.

Along with his wife, Tony Zapatero also mends clothes, they don’t just lift the hem on trousers, they can also adjust sleeves, the length of shirts, fix buttons and zips, and for a very affordable price too, in fact as much as half the price you might pay in the UK. The quality of workmanship isn’t cheap, Tony simply has less operating expenses than his contemporaries in Northern Europe.

Standing at Tony’s shop counter you can’t help notice the range of products he carries, a huge supply of blank keys waiting to be cut, replacement garage door and electric gate remotes, leather products from Ubrique, top name shoe shine brands, spare shoe laces, ladies handbags, watch batteries, and the huge selection of affordable suitcases.

The day I visited Tony’s shop I went with a friend who knows her handbags and luggage, well, it was lucky for her she’d left her purse in the office and only met me for a coffee, I’m certain her credit card would have taken a beating, and as for me, well I’m in need of a new black leather belt, but luckily for me my friend kept cooing over the handbags and asking my opinion.

Brand name items are stocked in Tony’s shop, in fact Tony takes a great deal of pride in sourcing quality items for his customers, for example shoe polish is supplied from the UK and Germany, Tony explains “If you want the brightest shine and best protection for your shoes, you need the best product”.

Photos in Tony Zapatero’s Shop in Ronda

Sabor Italiano Gelati Ronda

Ronda Today is pleased to welcome the return of Sabor Italiano, the little shop that sells homemade Italian gelati from their premises on Calle La Bola, 75.

Late last year the owner was hospitalized forcing the closure of the shop in the height of the autumn season, but as summer aproaches Torsten Diers, a German expat and the owner of the store, has been given the all clear to reopen.

Torsten told Ronda Today the idea of reopening the store is his second great achievement of the last few months, the first being the birth of his son, with his Spanish wife, at Ronda hospital late last year.

Gelati made the traditional Italian way is Sabor Italiano’s specialty and the store is tremendously popular with Rondeños during their nightly Paseo, and even more so with the little people of Ronda who can be seen every night choosing their favourite flavours.

Unusually, Sabor Italiano doesn’t just offer traditional Italian ice cream, indeed most of their varieties are low in fat, or made without milk. Every night patrons can sample from 17 different flavours, though Torsten has many more recipes and frequently changes his freezer around to avoid gelati boredom setting in.

We find it hard to believe anyone could ever be bored with gelati, but the surprise of seeing a new (and possibly untasted) ice cream in the cabinet always piques our interest.

Pricing is 1€ per ball (large scoop) of gelati and is the same whether you have cone, known as cucurucho in Spain, or by the cup with a spoon.

Eroski Centre to go Ahead in Ronda

Tiendas Online (La Flor y Nata)

A new website owned by Rondeñas Hilde and María has been launched from Ronda, and is already capturing the imagination Spanish speaking shoppers looking for their favourite brands online.

Named La Flor y Nata (www.laflorynata.es), a Spanish expression that roughly translated means the flower and the cream, though is more fittingly described as the best of the best, La Flor y Nata has grown quite rapidly and showcases many of Europe’s most popular brands such as Mango, Miss Sixty, Tommy Hilfiger, Catwalk, Diesel, Cowgirl, Outlet, and many more.

Ronda Today spoke with Hilde and María to ask about their website and the response they’re getting from shoppers and retailers.

Designed by the ladies, La Flor y Nata is designed to be attractive for women of distinction who enjoy shopping but lack the time to visit every shop in town. Perhaps they are working or caring for their families, or perhaps like in Ronda they aren’t able to see their favourite brands without travelling to the coast.

La Flor y Nata contains the best of the tiendas online (online shops), and whilst the site is yet to earn any decent income both Hilde and María are very excited about its potential. Already the ladies have a mailing list of several thousand women who enjoy keeping upto date on the latest online shopping discoveries.

Every month La Flor y Nata send an email update with new tiendas online they’ve discovered, and they’ll often pick the best offers from retailers to include in their email.

The greatest pleasure the two ladies receive is when they receive an email thanking them for producing their website which acts like a giant yellow pages of online shops in almost every category from women’s fashion to children, appliances, shoes, jewellery, rugs and more.

Whilst the site is in Spanish, Hilde and María doubt English speakers will have any trouble using the site due to the large number of very descriptive images, with their intention that women should be able to relax with a wine and enjoy browsing the various shopping sites with ease.

In addition to providing the very best online retailers, La Flor y Nata also arrange regular competitions for their susbscribers, simply send them a mail to enter the draw, or refer a friend to win some interesting prizes from major retailers.

Both Hilde and María speak excellent English as well as Spanish so if you see something you like about their website, or if you’d like to request they add a retailer, simply send them an email, their contact form is listed under ‘Contacto’ on La Flor y Nata website.

In the near future Hilde and María plan to add several UK based online retailers, though they are keen to emphasise they will only list retailers that are willing to deliver in Spain.

Queso Curado

To find the best locally produced products we popped into Marquez Tienda on Carrera Espinel, right next door to Restaurant Casa Ortega, and just around the corner from Plaza de Socorro, Ronda’s main square.

The Serranía de Ronda, as a small part of Andalucía is blessed with many hundreds of local artisans producing everything from wines, cheeses, honey, specialist meat goods, olive oil, bottled chestnuts, quince jams, and non-edible goods such as olive oil hand creams, soaps, leather goods, and ceramics.

Marquez is conveniently located for tourists, who probably comprise the bulk of their customers, though Rondeños looking for specialist items not found in supermarkets can often be found entering the store, in fact many phone ahead and place their orders.

Close to home Ronda is known for the wines certified as originating from the district, and Marquez proudly display the certificate awarded to José Antonio Itarte of Cortijo Los Aguillares for their Gold Medal win at Mondial du Pinot Noir, switzerland in 2009.

Other notable wines on the shelves at Marquez include some of the Serranía’s best petit verdot varieties such as the 2006 private reserve Principe Alfonso de Hohenlohe or the 2005 Ándalus, both of which are considered excellent representatives of their type.

Locally produced meats from Benaojan and Arriate are readily available, legs of jamón hang from the ceiling, twists of chorizo too. And in the refrigerator look out for Zurrapa de Lomo, a type of local paté made from pork loin fat and lard which is salted, and usually spread on toast for breakfast.

No leg of jamón would be complete without queso curado, so be prepared to buy this as well. A favourite serving in many tapas bars is jomón y queso, quite simply thinly sliced pieces of cured ham off the bone, and triangles of Spanish cured cheese. Queso curado isn’t anything like cheese from northern nations, it is much harder and greasier, and definitely not creamy, but it’s a local specialty that grows on you very quickly.

Desserts aren’t forgotten, jars of quince or chestnuts in their juices or water are available, as is honey from Grazalema or Guirlache from Valencía. in fact the complete tapas dinner and wine is stocked from Marquez, and if you’re staying in Ronda without cooking facilities, Marquez should be on your list of specialtly stores to visit.

Christmas Lights in La Bola, Ronda

The 4th of December was the day the Christmas lights went on in Ronda, heralding the start of the Christmas holiday season, which in Spain extends through to the 6th January.

Christmas in Spain is unlike English speaking countries. Here the 25th of December is a religious holiday, whilst the 5th of January, known as the three kings day, is the important day for giving gifts. Of course Hollywood’s influence means this is becoming muddled and children in Spain often get presents on the 25th and 5th.

Switching on the Christmas lights is an important occasion, made even more special as this is a long weekend celebrating two holidays, Constitution Day on the 6th, and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on the 8th.

The streets of Ronda were filled with people coming out to see this years lights, and to mix and mingle with friends in coffee shops, start the Christmas present buying spree, and enjoy the fresh evening air before the cold of winter really hits us.

The excitement was contagious, children were running and playing, calling to each other, staring with wild eyes in the windows of the shops with nativity scenes or Santa decorations, and Rondeños of all ages couldn’t contain themselves.

Several of the churches held special evening Mass services, so many in Ronda were wearing their Sunday best, though many more weren’t, being content to simply walk and enjoy the evening with friends.

The Christmas lights run the length of Carrera Espinel, Calle Sevilla, Virgen de la Paz, Calle Armiñan, Avenida de Málaga, Avenida de Martinez Astein, and are also in Plaza Socorro. The open air nativity is in the bandstand in Plaza Socorro.

While walking down La Bola taking the photos you see below, our friendly local busker was dressed as Santa playing Christmas songs on his accordion while singing “Merry Christmas” over and over again. We wondered if he knew the words and was just singing what he did know. Sadly the battery on the camera went flat and I wasn’t able to capture his Christmas spirit.

Andalucía Soap Company, Ronda

The Andalucía Soap Company Shop is the home of handmade natural olive oil soaps and refreshing Castile shampoos and body washes in Ronda. Our soaps are made from organic ingredients and along with our natural skincare products you are sure to find everything you need to keep your skin looking young and healthy.

You’ll know you’re close to finding some of the softest and most luxuriant natural soaps as you approach the Andalucian Soap Company’s shop in Ronda; wonderfully intoxicating aromas of Jasmine or Cinnamon waft around Calle Sevilla blending seemlessly with those of the Seville orange trees planted in the street.

Entering the shop is no different, a delightful blend of delicious smells fill the air, some subtle, some less so, but all enticing you further into their fragrance. Large slabs of natural soap and smaller heart shaped gift soaps fill the shelves looking tantalisingly like fudge, chocolate brownies, or fruit cake covered in icing.

Handmade soaps are our specialty, all of our soaps, skincare, and haircare products are made locally in the Andalucía Soap Company factory in Seville to the strictest quality standards, and all of our products are certified under EU regulations for the manufacture of soaps so you can be assured your health is in good hands. (read about our natural soaps and other products)

All of the Andalucía Soap Company’s soaps are made naturally with a base of unfiltered extra virgin olive oil, and every drop is pressed right here in Andalucía from olives world renowned for producing the finest oil. Our perfect blend of olive oil and other ingredients using the traditional cold kettle method ensures our soaps lather up quickly and luxuriously.

The shop is not hard to find, simply exit Carrera de Espinel (La Bola) onto Calle Sevilla and walk about 150m, you’ll see the shop on your left, and if you’re driving, it is often possible to find a park nearby, though the Andalucía Soap Company shop in Ronda is not too far from the underground carpark in Plaza del Socorro, or the multi-story carpark near Plaza de la Merced.

Jan Kustra, a qualified Californian massage therapist, has been invited to offer his services to clients of the Andalucía Soap Company shop in Ronda, and is quickly becoming popular, the massages are impersonal, simply recline in a specially designed chair and enjoy 20-40 minutes of relaxing massage. Jan is also qualified to use Chinese Tuina therapies.

Natural Soap in Ronda

Natural Soaps in Ronda

The most wonderfully refreshing bath time treats are now available at the Andalucía Soap Company Shop in Ronda, and with a selection the envy of retailers on the coast you can be sure of finding exactly what you’re looking for right here where it is most convenient, on Calle Sevilla in the heart of Ronda’s shopping precinct.

Natural soaps are better for your skin, and containing no nasty chemicals they are also environmentally friendlier, and the natural soaps made by Andalucía Soap Company are made from ingredients that have not been tested on animals.

Andalucía Soap Company soaps are made from Andalucían unfiltered extra virgin olive oil, and depending on the aroma, may also contain organic butters such as shea or cocoa, and organic oils such as argan, virgin avocado or virgin cocoa oil.

Andalucía Soap Company Shop in Ronda Contact Information

Where to buy Natural Soaps in Ronda

Arte y Madera Ronda

Arte y Madera, a small shop located on Ronda’s famous Calle Armiñan, is a small husband and wife team, Pablo and Esther, who have a love of wooden craft that really makes itself known through every piece.

Quality of workmanship is exceptional, in fact Arte y Madera’s pieces are sold throughout Spain in boutique craft shops. Items made by Arte y Madera include bowls, nutcracking bowls and hammers, salt and pepper shakers, perfume atomisers, kaleidoscopes, puxxles, candlestick holders, and custom etched images from photos.

All timber used is 100% renewable, with Arte y Madera donating 5% of all proceeds to replanting in the Serranía de Ronda, and all power for tools being derived from biomass generators.

Trudis

One of Ronda’s retail gems, Trudis directly in front of the Ocho Caños fountain, and across the street from the Iglesia de Padre Jesús, is a small shop with a lot going for it. Ideally located on one of the main tourist walks around Ronda the shop is easy to reach being only 50m from the Puente Romano, 100m from the Arab Baths, and about 100m from the Hotel Enfrente Arte.

Owned by Trudis and Wim, an expatriate couple from Belgium, the shop specialises in offering contemporary world music, notably the Putumayo brand, classical and modern Flamenco music, and music DVDs featuring some of Spain’s best Flamenco artists. The store is always buzzing to the sounds of Flamenco or world music, and is a great place to stop and listen for a few minutes.

Entering the store for the first time you’d be forgiven for thinking the shop isn’t really a shop, yes there is a counter with a checkout register, but the display shelving is more reminiscent of a trendy living room than a shop, and this is just the way Trudis likes it. You won’t be pressured to buy, Trudis is a more relaxed shop that is also a craft haven, you’ll often find Trudis making jewellery or felt handbags at the back of the store and she’s more than happy to chat about what she does.

Speaking of jewellery, every piece sold at Trudis shop is hand-made and quite unique; from bracelets, necklaces, and earrings, all of which are priced competitively to sell rather than gather dust.

Sennheiser headphones and portable speaker systems are also stocked by Trudis, the range is hand-picked for people with discerning taste who aren’t prepared to listen to good music on anything less than the best equipment. Rechargeable batteries and chargers are also available.

Ronda supermarket

Ronda, the Serranía’s biggest city is blessed with several supermarkets, some of them quite large and carrying a complete range of grocery items. Outside of Ronda most of the villages are serviced by small family owned grocery stores, which somehow manage to stock almost everything you could need in a space the size of a garage.