“Mercado de las Cucas” a furniture and fashion store (Madrid)

Many of my Spanish friends will be very surprised to read this article. I’m so convinced!!!  Because many of them definitely don’t know about this shop that I have discovered. Me an Italian in Madrid. This shop is really extraordinary!

If I didn’t have to sell some of my furniture I would have never had to turn to “Mercado de las Cucas”, I would have never found myself in that area!

Actually just finding it, was already hard, it’s on the outskirts of the city 20 minutes outside Madrid. In the quiet and peaceful area of Boadilla Del Monte, on Las Lomas street (no street number) location 26 in a deserted little advertised shopping mall where only offices spaces are located. But never mind the difficulty I had finding it, I immediately realized that this place was worth the effort.

It is a big stock house a huge space where you can find just about everything!! I love these places where order doesn’t rule but this kind of mix-up instead of being upsetting, it actually makes this place unique! Where vintage and contemporary live in harmony in a wondrous way.

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So many different lines and styles coming from different parts of the world is in fact what makes this place so unique, the owner explains, her name is Blanca. “This concept starts in the United states where it’s very common and the people there are used to go look for things they need to buy. When the finical crisis started in Spain I came up with the idea that a place like that could work, and time has only proven me right!”

Madrid is a cosmopolitan city, the clients that come to sell their furniture or those who come to buy are not only Spanish but from all over the world and this is the reason why we can offer this variety in choices, this is how the variety in designs is so diverse. The idea of the “Mercado de las Cucas” is to be the storehouse where you can come sell everything that needs to go before you relocate, but also when you are tired of something that you have at home that you wish to replace, we offer you the opportunity to make some money out of it. We are always very careful with our collection. We want to make sure that all the items are in perfect condition and when they are not we run them by our cleaning service (for couches per say) or for restoring works (for furniture picture frames, etc.) after all that, everything looks brand new! To our selling clients we give some months’ time (usually we start by a 6-month period) in which after we have agreed to the asking prices, we can get an idea if the item they have left us  can be found interesting and eventually can be sold. If not, not pressure, they can take it back any time. The prices are obviously very low since it’s a second hand store. The selling profits are equally divided between the first owner and the store. But also for the buyer it has to be a good deal. When the they know how to pick objects that are genuinely special and particular, items that they can probably not find in regular stores anymore…!!”

We start wondering around the place and we find Persian carpets, wardrobes and chests. From simple sofas to the super fashionable “chesterfields” and vintage chaise langue. From displays with porcelain objects like “Lemonage” to grand pianos. Art decor tables, baroque and Venetian light fixtures. Objects of art, telephones, picture frames, record players, golfing and pool equipment. Vases of all different colors, we even found a vintage speaker.

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This year they have also added a new department, that of furs and coats. In the far end of the store mannequins emerge dressed up in front of baroque mirrors. Short skirts and shawls laid on tables and chairs.

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You can find: from real furs, that are now out of fashion (that you can put back to life) to vintage dresses, from the traditional Spanish vales, to bohemian style hats, dressy or sports style. Then suitcases and accessories of every kind, jewelry handbags gloves… everything exclusively old – style!

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I recommend even if it’s out of simple curiosity, to enter the world of the “Mercado de las Cucas” where you will absolutely find that object or that piece of furniture that will make your home look different and will add to it a fine note of character. Unforgettable!  You will be surprised no doubt about it!!

For more information ask for an appointment with Blanca.

You can contact her by Email: mercadodelascucas@gmail.com

Or wonder around her place at the Webpage: www.elmercadodelascucas.com

by Mayura Malenotti