Cabana dos Parodiantes, which closed in February after half a century, in Salvaterra de Magos, will reopen with entrepreneurs Rúben Roque, 34 years old, from Salvaterra de Magos, and Guilherme Matos, 28, from Porto Alto, both with other businesses of restoration. Entrepreneurs and friends of a decade are rehabilitating the space, which is expected to open on June 1st. Given the proximity to the Andrade family, from Parodiantes de Lisboa, the former owner of the business, Sofia Andrade, will be involved in the production of “Barretes”, orange, almond, egg and sugar pastries, which were only produced in Cabana dos Parodiantes, revealed Rúben Roque to O MIRANTE.
Rúben Roque explains that the snack/beer shop concept will remain and that the cultural gatherings that Fernando Andrade, Sofia’s brother, organized until he passed away in 2019, aged 54, will return, although they don’t know whether monthly or bimonthly. The entrepreneurs will maintain the structure of the space, but improve it and give it a touch of modernity. The building’s roof is being replaced and the terrace will be air-conditioned for winter dining; the images of the Parodiantes de Lisboa are being replicated as they are in poor condition and in a year’s time they aim to create an outdoor room linked to an art gallery to give local artists the opportunity to exhibit their work.
The big focus is on the kitchen and equipping it, to ensure the production of “Barretes”. Rúben Roque wants to turn to his father, who has a group of companies, so that the “Barretes” reach large supermarkets and gourmet stores. A team has already been formed, including kitchen assistants, pastry chefs, waiters and counter staff, for a total of seven employees.
Rúben Roque says that at the age of 19 he already owned a bar in Salvaterra de Magos and that five years ago he was “agreeing” with the owner of Cabana dos Parodiantes to take over the space. His mother has a decoration business next door, owned by the same landlady. She says, jokingly, that there is no recipe for a business to succeed “other than the cap”.
Sofia Andrade told O MIRANTE in February that the business had not been going well for a year and a half. Although they served meals, “coffee and Barrete” were the standard of consumption. She said that the space signifies her childhood and adolescence, since her father, Rafael, and her aunt, Julieta, were the ones who managed the business in the absence of her brothers José and Rui Andrade. Sofia Andrade enthusiastically recalled that figures such as Ruy de Carvalho, Paulo Gonzo and the late actress and wife of Mário Soares, Maria Barroso, passed by. “We had a family relationship, so we are also going to have Sofia make hats”, says Rúben Roque.
The history of radio and humor in Portugal is closely linked to the Parodiantes de Lisboa and the brothers José and Rui Andrade, natives of Salvaterra de Magos and members of the group that animated the radio for 50 years. In 1973 they remodeled the “Sol da Lezíria” pastry shop, which belonged to their parents, and where pastries had been made since 1946, and gave the name “Cabana dos Parodiantes”, with the pastries becoming “Barretes”. Another descendant of the family, Fernando Andrade, ran the business until he passed away. The Cabana dos Parodiantes was handed over, until closing, to Sister Sofia and her partner.
Tags: LOOKOUT breath Cabana dos Parodiantes previous owner business
