Esparteria i Sabateria Can Magí

The history of Can Magí is deeply rooted in the family tradition of esparto craftsmanship and shoemaking.

The grandfather, Magí Bonet, was a shoemaker by trade. From a very young age, he made shoes and espadrilles for the whole family, a trade he had learnt from his father. He was also skilled in working with esparto grass, making baskets and hampers for everyday use. A keen angler, he made his own esparto baskets to use on his fishing trips.

Around 1966, whilst chatting with his children and his sister-in-law—the sister of the current owner’s grandmother—the idea arose to open a shop to sell the rustic footwear he made: avarques, frareres, porqueres and other traditional items, as well as esparto grass baskets. And so ‘la espartería’ was born, with a small workshop set up in the very house where they lived, as was customary among many craftsmen of the time.

The early days were not easy, but little by little the business grew thanks to the sale of footwear and baskets handcrafted by the family. Father, son and grandson worked together for years, keeping the craft alive and passing on their knowledge from one generation to the next. From 1978 onwards, production was modernised with the introduction of machinery and a gradual increase in output.

Since 1996, they have been located at 54 Sant Antoni Maria Claret Street. The premises have two distinct areas: the front section for retail sales and the rear section, where the craft workshop is situated.

In the shop, you can find all kinds of items made from esparto grass, such as baskets and hampers, as well as avarques and other handmade footwear crafted by Magí, who continues the family tradition as a shoemaker and esparto craftsman. They also offer basketry, mats, made-to-measure and customised items, as well as the traditional service of re-stringing chairs.

Currently, the third generation of the family runs the business: Magí Bonet, a shoemaker and esparto craftsman, and his wife, Esperanza Bosch. Over the years, they have successfully adapted to changing times and tackled the challenges of online shopping without losing the artisanal essence that defines them.

Proud of who they are and what they do, at Can Magí they keep the art of basket-weaving alive in Ciutadella. They continue to preserve their family legacy by handcrafting their own baskets and their distinctive rustic footwear.