It all began with the great-grandmother, a woman who was always accompanied by her two little dogs. No matter where she went, her faithful companions followed her and waited for her, whether it was going to church or to the market. Based on this endearing anecdote, the shop was named Ca ses Cusses, a 130-year-old establishment that has been run by five generations of the same family, who have woven their history into that of Manacor.
Since 1895, Ca ses Cusses has been a meeting point for locals and visitors alike, who come in search of quality products and friendly service. That is why we wanted to learn more about this century-old history. Biel Carrió, the fourth generation at the helm of the business, who after fifty years has decided to hand over the reins to his daughter Àngela, explains that: ‘I found it very difficult to decide to retire for fear of losing the excellent relationship I have with the customers. This is like my home, where they come to shop and chat.’ His daughter Àngela confesses that ‘it was very difficult for him to accept that he had to retire, because he says: “I was born here, I feel very good here”, and I also feel a little sorry for him’.
Over more than 130 years, the shop has survived two world wars, a civil war, the black market, the post-war period and even the coronavirus crisis. ‘We’ve seen it all, but the hardest thing has been resisting the rise of supermarkets and online shopping,’ admits Biel. Despite the challenges, Can Carrió has maintained its essence and the personal touch that only a family business can offer.
A few years ago, with the arrival of Àngela, the fifth generation, the decision was made to transform the small shop into a tasting space that combines traditional commerce with a small café. “Nine years ago, when I came back from studying in Barcelona, I noticed that large supermarkets and online shopping were eating away at small businesses, and the shop was a bit stagnant. Whenever my father and I travelled, we would try to find cool cafés or places that we liked, and we thought that there weren’t any here in Mallorca. We couldn’t find our place, so we decided to open our own,” says Àngela enthusiastically. Now, in addition to buying spices or packets of coffee, customers can sit down for a while, enjoy a freshly ground coffee and try a croissant.
Continuing a family business is no easy task. On the one hand, it can be an act of love, and on the other, it can be a matter of responsibility. “I’ve gone through different stages myself. There was a time when I wanted to give it all up, when I said, “I don’t want to do this anymore”. There were times when I saw it as a burden, when I said, “They’ve put this on my shoulders… Because this shop has been around for over a hundred years, and now it’s my turn”. But now, for me, it’s a source of pride to continue a century-old business, but also a great responsibility. I want to maintain the trust and closeness that have made this shop unique,” says Àngela with enthusiasm and sincerity. It’s not just about keeping a business open, but about preserving a link with the town, the community and her own family history.
Now, with Angela at the helm, a new chapter will be written with the generational handover consolidated, ensuring that this legacy will continue to flourish for at least another 130 years. To celebrate, we invite you to visit Ca ses Cusses and discover a place where tradition and innovation go hand in hand. You will see that, as Àngela says, ‘we are neither a conventional bar nor a typical shop: we are a unique place where everyone can feel at home.’