Café Gijón acquired by Cappuccino Group to preserve its essence
Madrid's historic Café Gijón, open since 1888 on Paseo de Recoletos, has been acquired by the Cappuccino Group. The venue will close until January for renovations, but the new owner promises to maintain its identity and historical character. It served as a hub for literary gatherings featuring authors like Valle-Inclán and Baroja.
Madrid's Café Gijón, a cultural icon since its opening in 1888, has new ownership. The Escamilla family, its previous proprietors, have transferred the venue to the Cappuccino Group, which operates restaurants, hotels, and other establishments in the Balearic Islands, the mainland Peninsula, and Switzerland. The real estate consultancy Busquets Gálvez advised on the acquisition process.
Located on Paseo de Recoletos, the café has closed temporarily until January for renovation works. Nevertheless, the Cappuccino Group pledges to safeguard its heritage. "The Café Gijón will preserve the essence that has accompanied it throughout its history," states the consultancy's press release. It is portrayed as a "cultural reference and essential part of Madrid's soul."
For over a century, Café Gijón hosted renowned literary gatherings. Writers such as Ramón María del Valle-Inclán, Pío Baroja, Camilo José Cela, and Gerardo Diego, among many others, convened there for discussions and creative endeavors. The new owner's intention is to reopen it "maintaining its identity and historical character," according to EFE.
This handover highlights efforts to balance modernization with tradition in one of Spain's capital's oldest cafés.