Drogaria Central

The Shop

When the Drogaria Central opened in 1919, drugstores and, indeed most shops, featured a physical and human intermediary – the counter and those behind it. The customers did not have direct access to the products. They had to talk to the shop assistants. The self-service layout one finds in most shops today is a sign of the times in the life of this shop; an update that was carried out in the 1990s. Nevertheless, the products have remained the same: typical drugstore articles, perfumery, personal hygiene articles and home cleaning and care articles.

The Drogaria Central is one of the few specialised shops that still exist in the area. Here one can also find paraffin and all articles required for making artisanal candles. The window display highlights timeless Portuguese products, such as Benamor, Barral and Madame Odete creams, Ach Brito and Confiança soaps, Couto toothpaste, Portuguese aftershaves, and 444 and Veleiro products.