The historic Gran Café Gijón, a renowned gathering place for artists, writers, and journalists in Madrid, is set to undergo a significant transformation. Located on the Paseo de Recoletos, this emblematic café will change ownership, marking the end of an era for the Escamilla family, who have been at the helm for many years. However, this is not a permanent closure; the café is expected to reopen in January following a complete renovation.
The new owners, Grupo Capuccino, already operate various establishments in locations such as Mallorca, Ibiza, Málaga, and Switzerland. They aim to revitalize the café while preserving its rich heritage. “We express our satisfaction with the operation carried out and our excitement for the project,” a representative from Grupo Capuccino stated.
The story of Gran Café Gijón dates back to 1914 when it was transferred to Benigno López Jabato, who significantly remodeled the space in 1925. Since then, it has served as a hub for prominent figures in cinema and literature, hosting numerous noteworthy events over the decades. Its cultural significance is underscored by the establishment of the Premio Café Gijón, a national short novel award created in 1949 by director and actor José Antonio Ramos Sucre in honor of the café. This award continues to be presented today, highlighting the café”s lasting legacy in Madrid”s literary and artistic community.
