{"id":33064,"date":"2025-12-05T10:59:58","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T10:59:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mitjavilaslowshop.com\/xabier-g-mitjavila-fundador-petita-botiga-producte-de-proximitat\/"},"modified":"2026-01-11T11:37:54","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T11:37:54","slug":"xabier-g-mitjavila-founder-of-a-small-neighborhood-shop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mitjavilaslowshop.com\/en\/xabier-g-mitjavila-founder-of-a-small-neighborhood-shop\/","title":{"rendered":"Xabier G. Mitjavila, founder of a small neighborhood shop focused on locally sourced products."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The story of Mitjavila Slow Shop<\/strong> is, above all, the story of a family and a neighborhood. Xabier G. Mitjavila<\/strong>, a chemical engineer and founder of the project, decided to open this locally focused shop after reclaiming a legacy that had been present in Sarri\u00e0 for over a century. His family ran the historic Mitjavila Carpentry Workshop <\/strong>for generations, and although the business closed in 1997, the emotional connection remained intact. That bond, together with the desire to \u201creturn to the roots\u201d and recover a more conscious way of consuming, is what led Xabier <\/strong>to take the leap. \u201cI wanted to create a space that brought back what my grandparents used to tell me about: buying by weight, knowing the producer, and valuing what you eat,<\/em>\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A shop committed to local sourcing, honest advice, and the revival of neighborhood commerce.<\/em><\/p>Xabier G. Mitjavila<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A shop where customers know what they are buying, how it is produced, and where it comes from.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The shop was born with a very clear essence: to be a transparent space\u2014both literally and metaphorically<\/em>\u2014where customers understand what they buy, how it is produced, and where it comes from. Located in the Sarri\u00e0\u2013Sant Gervasi area, it offers a curated selection of bulk, local, and organic products ranging from rice, legumes, spices, and cereals to nuts, dried fruit, infusions, and craft beer. All of this is paired with close, in-depth guidance, far removed from the impersonal experience that dominates large supermarkets. \u201cPeople are starting to become aware of the value of KM0 products and the real quality of what they eat,<\/em>\u201d says Xabier G. Mitjavila<\/strong>. \u201cWhen you explain the origin, when you let them taste it, their perception changes completely.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xabier G. Mitjavila, founder of a small neighborhood shop: \u201cI wanted to create a space that brought back what my grandparents used to tell me about: buying by weight, knowing the producer, and valuing what you eat.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Trained as a chemist and professionally dedicated to the design and renovation of factories in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical sectors, Xabier G. Mitjavila<\/strong> had seen firsthand how industrial processes were moving further and further away from natural products. This contrast sparked his concern and planted the seed of the project. While working full-time in his profession, he spent more than a year visiting trade fairs, talking to producers, discovering local suppliers, and gaining an in-depth understanding of each product. This effort became the defining hallmark of Mitjavila Slow Shop<\/strong>. \u201cThe difference lies in explaining. People are no longer used to having what they buy explained to them, and they value that enormously,<\/em>\u201d he points out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople are no longer used to having what they buy explained to them, and they value that enormously.\u201d<\/em><\/p>Xabier G. Mitjavila<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Products such as nuts, infusions, craft beers, or organic eggs have become essentials for many customers, who recommend the shop by word of mouth. Regular tastings are also organized so visitors can discover new flavors and the work behind each producer. \u201cWhen someone tastes a quality product, the brain connects. That\u2019s the magic,<\/em>\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another key element of the project is extreme transparency. All products are displayed in methacrylate containers with detailed information about their origin and characteristics. If a product changes supplier or country of origin, the shop communicates it openly. \u201cHonesty is non-negotiable. If something comes from Thailand, I say so. There\u2019s no point in hiding it. People appreciate the truth,\u201d he states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond food, the shop also offers biodegradable detergents, artisanal soaps, and sustainable alternatives that support the brand\u2019s zero-waste approach. This philosophy aligns with the type of customer who visits the store: demanding, informed, and environmentally committed. \u201cI\u2019m not looking for volume; I\u2019m looking for people who value proximity and want to know what they are buying. That\u2019s my audience,<\/em>\u201d explains the founder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not looking for volume; I\u2019m looking for people who value proximity.\u201d<\/em><\/p>Xabier G. Mitjavila<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Even so, starting a business in a neighborhood like Sarri\u00e0 is not easy. High rental prices and the area\u2019s seasonality have been constant challenges. Still, Xabier maintains a clear and honest vision of the path ahead: \u201cI\u2019ve given myself two years to evaluate whether the project can be sustainable. If not, I\u2019ll take away an invaluable learning experience<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Productes<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With its first anniversary approaching, Mitjavila Slow Shop<\/strong> has established itself as a refuge where shopping stops being a mere transaction and becomes a human experience once again. A shop that shows that the future may actually look a lot like the past: close personal service, genuine quality, and producers who put their heart into what they do. \u201cReturning to our roots is not nostalgia<\/em>,\u201d Mitjavila<\/strong> concludes. \u201cIt\u2019s a way of eating better, living better, and better understanding what nourishes us.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen you try to build a business where values such as sustainability, zero waste, and local sourcing are your guiding principles, every decision matters and reflects your image. You have to be consistent, even when the numbers are tight, and what truly matters is creating an emotional connection with the customer that large retailers cannot replicate. If you are able to maintain that coherence over time, it will become your main competitive advantage.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For your next purchase, think local: choose zero-kilometer products, choose local sourcing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Article from La Vanguardia<\/em> by Albert Malla Nicolau<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Go to the news<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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