New. Neat. Nice for holidays.

Figueira da Foz. Coastal city with several beaches and seaport facilities, about 40 km west of Coimbra, sheltered by Serra da Boa Viagem (hills).

Casa Havanesa, as I knew it

Casa Havanesa. Figueira da Foz, Picadeiro, very close to the Casino. 

Founded in 1885, Casa Havanesa was a bookshop, a newsagent, and also a photography shop until 2006. In spite of all odds, it is now a bar, and its new owners have kept its identity as a century-old bookshop.

Inside this bar/restaurant that (re)opened last April, there are still the original glazed cabinets as well as one of the counters, among other details.

Down the hall that leads to the basement and toilets, there is also a small bookcase with some books awaiting customers - leave one and get another! Besides the typical (Portuguese) espresso drinking, customers can also taste delicious meals and snacks. Yummy!!!

Casa Havanesa is really a plus for Figueira da Foz, a place like so many others, where traditional shops are closing down and there are more and more derelict buildings. When on holidays, I used to buy there books and foreign magazines; more recently I bought there books for my kids. Though it is sad to see such an emblematic bookshop disappear, I believe that more important than that is refurbishing these areas, and therefore recognising the remarkable effort of the new owners - on the one hand, in investing there and preserving the building, and, on the other hand, in promoting book launches, presentations (please check, for example, here) and exchanges, hosting music (please check, for example, here) and other cultural events, including gastronomy (please check, for example, here).
If you happen to be nearby or plan to visit Figueira da Foz, be sure to hit Casa Havanesa, during the day or at night, to exchange books, eat, drink and/or to listen to good music. Trust me, you won't regret it!

Casa Havanesa, as it is now (indoors)

Wish them all the best for this whole new chapter - for Casa Havanesa (and all others) and Figueira da Foz, my second hometown ;)

Happy Holidays, y'all, wherever you are!!!