Rufina’s Shopping Spree

We joined one of Lanzarote’s best-known artists, Rufina Santana, for a Christmas shopping expedition in her charming hometown of San Bartolomé.

We start from the impressive Arts Centre on C/Los Reyes that Rufina runs with her husband, sculptor Paco Curbelo. Currently available to visit by prior appointment, the centre will be open to the public for two days a week in January, and offers unique artworks and creative crafts, as well as much, much more.

In San Bartolomé, Rufina pops into Oswaldo Machín’s atelier on C/Rubicón for a quick chat with the talented designer she’s known since the age of 14. Even if you’re not being measured for a dress, the garments on display are always worth seeing – beautiful expressions of elegance and imagination.

Then it’s on to San Bartolomé’s main Avenida, which is all dressed up for Christmas. Here, Rufina makes a beeline for Sándalo. “It’s a great pret-a porter shop that stocks my favourite outfits, from everyday work wear to special occasions. It’s also wonderful for small gifts,” says Rufina.

On the same street Rufina also heads into Boutique Elvira, a children’s clothing specialist where her friend Carmen recommends a gift for a baby. Then she nips into Óptica San Bartolomé to change some lenses on her glasses – it’s her regular optician and has never let her down.

Then it’s time for a quick break and a coffee at Cafe Mimo’s, just opposite the Parque Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, whose pretty nativity scene is in place.

A short stroll further down C/ Rubicón brings Rufina to Pablo Ramos Baldi ‘s shop and studio. The designer “always has surprises in store”, say Rufina, and, in her opinion, it is one of the most creative places on the island.

While you can never guess what delights Pablo has in store, the opposite is true of Muebles San Simón, on C/San Simón. A long-standing furniture and household goods business, it’s well-known for reliability, quality and excellent customer service, and Rufina picks up some wonderful pillowcases.

Finally, Rufina heads to Cordovez & Morales, known to all locals as “Chalín’s shop”, which has specialised in gardening and agricultural supplies for over 40 years. It’s the perfect place to pick up attractive containers or that special houseplant for a gift.

All businesses mentioned are members of ACEA, the Ajei Commercial and Business Association, which has more than 50 members in San Bartolomé, and is constantly working to bring more customers to discover the surprises that the old town in the heart of Lanzarote has to offer.