Mimbreria Vidal

La Mimbrería Vidal is a shop located on the ground floor of a building in the historic centre, in La Corderia street, which sells wickerwork items, traditional products such as baskets, hampers, cutlery holders, rugs, household goods and decorative items, carry-cots, etc. It also has a workshop for the repair of string chairs, following a tradition dating back to the mid-16th century, when there were 16 listed workshops in Mallorca. The name of the street itself is in fact an indication of the type of business to which the shops that were located there were dedicated.

The establishment was opened in 1925 by Lluís Palmer. Years later, in 1955, Tomàs Vidal took over the business, succeeded later by his son Josep Vidal. In 1986 they bought the premises next door, in Carrer de Els Hostals, to expand the shop, where they took the opportunity to create another entrance.

Tomàs Vidal, Tomàs’ grandson, still restores string chairs. He recounts how, of the twenty craftsmen they had, only three remain, due to the lesser role of traditional work. Even today, the family still considers the shop more than just a business.

The interior of this shop retains the air of bygone times, with products on display throughout its interior. Objects are arranged on wooden shelves and many of them hang from the ceiling.

The business is considered unique because they themselves make a small part of the products they sell and also make bespoke products (fastenings, repairs…), as well as selling items from other producers on the island and on the mainland. It is one of the few businesses left in Palma dedicated to the sale of this type of handcrafted products.