Like most people who live abroad, there’s a multitude of things that I miss from home. Marmite, check, being the thrilled recipient of a Colin the Caterpillar cake on my birthday, double check. Perhaps most surprisingly of all, is how much I still pine for greetings cards. Back when I lived in London, I could spend hours (and a small fortune) in Oliver Bonas. I’d gladly while away the hours mooching through the aisles to find the perfect card for any occasion.
What came next was a move to Mallorca, the home of wall to wall sunshine, but sadly greetings cards are few and far between. I almost felt tempted to start making my own. You see, for me, the cards that you send are just as important, if not more so, than any gift. You get to pen a heartfelt message, and show the recipient how much you care.
So with this in mind, La Salina, the brainchild of xxx was born in December 2021, some four years ago. Not only are there books galore (it is ultimately a bookshop, don’t let my card obsession fool you), but there’s gift wrap, postcards, notebooks, journals, gratitude diaries – it’s a treasure trove for gifts and goodies. The store enjoys pride of place in what is ultimately one of the hippest neighbourhoods in Palma, Santa Catalina. Close to a popular, picturesque square Plaça de la Verge del Miracle, which also homes one of my favourite low key restaurants, Spot. As I said, Las Salina is indeed a book shop, stocking classics, modern fiction and everything in between in English, Spanish and Catalan. However, part of its huge appeal lies in the idea of having a one stop shop where you can buy cards, gifts and trinkets. it’s this uniqueness in a city which which is somewhat lacking that has played a part in its success. Back to books though, the store hosts a monthly book club, so if you want to meet fellow book worms and engage in some social chit chat about the current book of the month pop along – this is most definitely on my 2025 must do list.
La Salina, in my humble opinion, is a shop that has become synonymous with good taste when you’re looking to pick up either a quirky yet affordable gift, or a current Sunday Times bestseller. As we’re now in the depths of winter, and those dark nights have drawn in, there’s no better time to ‘nest’ and curl up with a good book and let’s be honest, Amazon doesn’t need anymore of your hard earned cash and the power of a good gift can never be underestimated. So for me, the only new years resolution that I’m making is to support small, and to support local.
Text by Cat Powell
Instagram @lasalinapalma
Calle de Bayarte, 21, Palma
