In the heart of Marmelete, the Credito Agricola bank had lain vacant for several years. The new owners, Daniel and Géraldine, sensed that in such a key location, a change of use had the potential to breathe new life into the whole area.
Imagine a place that combines a cosy bar restaurant, a zero-waste grocery store, a live music venue, a laundromat, a children’s cinema and a community hub. Add to that a welcoming vibe that draws in local villagers, off-grid homesteaders and west coast surfers alike. The Bank in Marmelete has nailed that mix and more.
Marmelete is slightly inland from the south and west coasts – previously a bit of a tumbleweed town that people drove through on their way to the beaches. But the old gravitational pull of the coastline has shifted as people discover the hills and forests, the lower property prices and the year-round vibe of these inland locations.
The bank is aiming to harness this new eclectic community. By day, you can peruse the organic food store on the ground floor for your artisan bread, organic veg, goat yogurt, chocolate marshmallows and more. After throwing your washing in the laundromat, pop upstairs for a barrista coffee, followed by some brunch. Visit at night for live gigs, trivia quizzes, DJ sets and karaoke. You can pick from a selection of good local craft beers on tap or a naughty cocktail. Tuesday curry night offers authentic Pakistani curry, or you could get your socks knocked off with a wild boar burger or portobello mushroom burger on Wednesdays.
The upstairs bar restaurant has a relaxed feel: comfy sofas, boho ephemera and salvaged architectural details. Daniel and Géraldine are not the first to bring this laid-back urban style to the western Algarve; you’ll find many more examples around Aljezur, Sagres and Luz – often achingly trendy, but shut all winter. In contrast, the Bank has a solid, year-round feel, and there’s an infectious buzz as people come in from a wide catchment area to meet, eat and work remotely. It’s become a good resting spot for weekend family walks and a destination cycle café for long-distance riders up from the coast.
Géraldine says, “What makes me really happy is that it manages to mix everyone. No matter what nationality, age or background, everyone comes and mingles. The local Portuguese people come to concerts, the Monchique off-grid community come to our live events and the west coast surf community come with their focus on wellbeing.”
The little flea market outside is a fun way to spend Saturday afternoons browsing. Inside, there’ll often be a kids’ art workshop or a naturopath on hand in the shop to answer questions on nutrition. The couple encourage the Bank to act as a catalyst for new ideas.
“We like it when people come and suggest ideas to do themselves,” adds Daniel. “Last month, there was a secondhand sale run entirely by and for kids, and there’s a weekly session for people to meet and brainstorm ideas for start-up projects, conferences, pop-up businesses and more.”
Even the old bank safe has a new use – it’s where they keep the beer!
FB: Bank-Marmelete
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Largo Coronel Artur Moreira, 8, Marmelete
