Text: Paulo Galvão | Photography: AZUL
For the delegation of the Revista de Vinhos that made a suprise visit to the quiet town of Ericeira, it was unexpected to find a store with such movement and product diversity.
This is the starting point of the article that this month’s Revista dos Vinhos magazine devotes to Loja da Amélia, in Ericeira, which was awarded the prize for best gourmet store in Portugal. The secret, according to it, resides on the “four factors: quality, variety, prize and customer service”, in a place where “everything is sold at a reasonable price”, by “very kind and knowledgeable people”. In the opinion of the authors of this article, once you enter the store you immediately notice why so many people go there. Inside, you can find a large variety of products, fresh and canned, from chocolate to coffee, alcoholic beverages and waters, nuts and fruits, cheese and sausages. “Nothing’s missing”, they mention.
The Loja da Amélia is a successful case in which all of the family works, both in Ericeira and the recently opened store in Mafra. The first store opened in the town center in 1996, but the lack of space forced it to move to the current facilities, ten years ago. The company, which currently employs a staff of 15, proves that with hard work you can compete with the major supermarkets’ offers. Each family member has its own responsabilities: Amélia Sobrinho is the organiser, who helps clients in their purchases and does whatever is needed in each section of the store. Her husband collects the fresh products from the local markets; their son João is responsible for beverages and the wine section while their daughter Rita handles the accounting and management.
Esta publicação também está disponível em | This article is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)
