Men at work: Panadería S’Estació

Have you ever been on a glass bottom boat? Or on a platform with a see-through floor? Just look at the people’s faces entering the Panadería S’Estació, the bakery at the end of Carrer Sindicat. While new customers often wear that wary smile of people walking on uncertain ground the kids love the wide glass floor right away. Where else can you watch the bakers at work from above?

Grab a baguette, a llonguet, or an empanada on your way home. Or take a short break and sit down for a coffee, a piece of cake and a glance at the papers, the newsstand is just opposite. My all-time favorites are the large crespells with dark chocolate. One day, there weren’t any left and I obviously looked somewhat disappointed. So the shop assistant took a regular crespell down to the baker who dipped it into a large pan of liquid chocolate. And there I had my beloved cookie, made just for me!

For almost 150 years, the building was home to La Antigua Casa Pujadas, one of the old Mallorcan hornos. A few years ago, it closed its doors for good and neighbours and regulars were mourning the loss. And not only because of the famous ensaimadas con albaricoque. Another traditional store giving way to a big chain?

At first, the vintage look of the new panaderia made me even more suspicious. Today I’m glad there’s a bakery where I get a variety of typical bread and pastries and that’s open almost every day. Actually, the interior of S’Estació is kind of nice. In particular the pictures of historic Palma displayed on a big screen. While the times are changing some things remain the same. Like empanadas con guisantes – the bakers are just preparing a load of peas for the next tray.