Xocolat Centre

Xocolat Centre is an independent record shop in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, founded in 1980 in a small premises on Carrer de l'Estanc at the end of Passeig del Born. Initially focused on jazz and salsa, the shop adapted to new genres with the arrival of the 'movida' movement, and in 1987 it moved to its current location at Carrer de Font i Monteros, 18, becoming a specialised store offering a wide range of vinyl records and compact discs. Over the decades it has become a cultural reference point in Mallorca, hosting record, book and concert presentations. In 1982 owner Miquel Àngel Sancho founded Blau Records, which produced works by various local and national writers. Today the business is led by the second generation, Anita and Miquel Àngel Sancho Bisquerra, with partners Toni Vives and shop manager David Tomé. Xocolat is known for remaining faithful to its roots while supporting local artists and producers, and it serves as a meeting point for music lovers and a venue where many musicians choose to present their albums. In 2010 it won the award for Best Record Store in Spain at the II Premios de la Música Independiente. On 24 July 2024, by resolution no. 7460 of the Ajuntament de Palma, it was maintained as an Emblematic Commerce (category 2A) in the approval of the 2024 Catalogue of Emblematic Establishments.

Xocolat Centre opened in 1980 in a small local on Carrer de l'Estanc, at the end of Passeig del Born in Palma de Mallorca. Its activities included selling records, photography, and exhibitions of graphic works by the most active contemporary artists. At first it focused on jazz and salsa, and with the arrival of the 'movida' these styles adapted to other genres still present in the shop. In 1987, it moved to its current location at Carrer de Font i Monteros, no. 18, and became a specialised store offering a wide range of vinyl records and compact discs. Years after its opening, the company experienced a severe crisis that hit the record sector, and it reinvented itself by creating a space dedicated to record and book presentations and concerts, turning it into a reference point of Mallorcan culture. Meanwhile, owner Miquel Àngel Sancho founded Blau Records in 1982, which produced works by various local and national writers. Currently, it stands out especially for its vinyl products, which made it a deserved winner of the award for Best Record Store in Spain 2010 at the II Premios de la Música Independiente. Today the business is led by the second generation, formed by Anita and Miquel Àngel Sancho Bisquerra, with the support of their partners Toni Vives and shop manager David Tomé. Xocolat's hallmark is to remain faithful to its roots while supporting local artists and producers. In this sense, it is a meeting point for music lovers and a place where many musicians choose to present their albums. On 24 July 2024 (resolution no. 7460, Ajuntament de Palma) it was maintained as an Emblematic Commerce (category 2A) in the approval of the 2024 Catalogue of Emblematic Establishments.

• Xocolat Centre opens on Carrer de l'Estanc, Palma de Mallorca.

• Owner Miquel Àngel Sancho founds Blau Records.

• Moves to current location at Carrer de Font i Monteros, 18.

• Wins Best Record Store in Spain at II Premios de la Música Independiente.

• Maintained as Emblematic Commerce (category 2A) by Palma City Council.

Independent specialist record shop and cultural hub in Palma de Mallorca, known for its curated vinyl selection and support for local music.

• Vinyl records

  A wide range of vinyl records across genres, a specialty of the shop.

• Compact discs

  Compact discs offered alongside vinyl.

• Music-related books

  Books presented in-store, often linked to music and local culture.

1. 1Xocolat Centre - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Xocolat Centre - Viquipèdiaca.wikipedia.org
3. 3Palma Activa fitxaweb.palmaactiva.com