Ondara, with its strategic position between the coast and the interior, has historically been a key point for commercial exchange on the Iberian Peninsula. This commercial tradition has not only boosted the local economy, but has also served as a cultural bridge between various communities, reflecting and enriching the identity of the town.
The fairs, markets and shops of Ondara bear witness to centuries of history and tradition. It is vital that this legacy is recognized and preserved, since it goes beyond the merely economic, being a fundamental pillar of the culture and history of Ondara.
With this objective, the Department of Economic Promotion of the Ondara City Council, directed by Raquel Mengual, promoted the 'Ondara, a history of commerce' initiative in October 2023; a historical-commercial route of Ondara, which gives value to the town and recovers the commercial memory of the town, claiming that Ondara has been a commercial reference in the Marina Alta throughout history.
'Ondara, a history of commerce' is structured through a route through historic local businesses; some already closed, and others still open, which have a plaque with a QR code, which provides all the information about the trade, history and old photos.
The Councilor for Economic Promotion, Raquel Mengual, has announced that this summer 6 new local businesses have been integrated into the route, adding to the 15 historic local businesses with which the first phase of “Ondara, a history” was launched. of commerce" (which were Casa Rosita Grimalt, Ca la Baixaeta, Tejidos Bosch, Català la Moda, Ca Paquitina, Papereria Iñareta, Bodegas Leopoldo, Bodegas Aguilar, Ferreteria Llúzar, Carnisseria Alberto Picó, Tejidos Català, Mercat Municipal, Mobles Escrivà and La Drugstore).
New historic shops in Ondara
Now, to these 15 businesses, another 6 have been added: Mejias, Casa Giner, Sastrería Frasés, Fotoestudio Fonseca, D'Estarca Cortines, and Casa Pedro Pérez (La Baixaeta).
- Mejias. The Mejias business, started as a street vendor in 1942, was transformed into a diversified store until 2003, later expanding with two additional businesses until 2013. It is now dedicated to the import and distribution of beach items.
- Giner House It was founded in 1936 by Vicente Giner Bolufer and closed in 2011. This business was a repair shop and sale of bicycles, motorcycles and their accessories. Currently, on the store's shutter you can see graffiti of a motorcycle made by Rubén Sendra Giner, grandson of Jose Giner and vicente Giner's visnet.
- Frasés Tailoring. Founded in 1927 by Antonio Frasés Bolufer. Sastreria Frases was a thriving men's suit business that passed through several generations until it became a children's clothing store until 2008.
- Fonseca Photo Studio. Founded in 1922 by Enrique Fonseca Crespo, it has been passed down from generation to generation until it reached Gaspar Gavilà Tomàs in 2002, keeping the business active and making it a centenary.
- Estarca Curtains. Before the civil war (1936 – 1939) at C/ San José 19, Cirilo Estarca Giner founded a small household clothing store that has evolved into a curtain store.
- Pedro Pérez House (La Baixaeta). Opened in 1926 by Batiste Pérez Domenech and later managed by Pedro Pérez Pérez until 1992, the store offered espadrilles, selling many bulk items surrounded in paper.
More information can be obtained on the campaign website and Active Ondara. The intention is to be able to add and incorporate more businesses that are interested in this initiative, since the plaques with the information will remain in the establishments, thus proposing a tourist-commercial route that will last over time.
For this reason, the Department of Economic Promotion of the City Council has made a call for the participation of all those businesses, shops, industries, and hospitality and restaurant establishments, of a historical, relevant or emblematic nature in the town, so that join this initiative. For information and to join, you can contact the phone number 664 44 97 19.
