The legendary Peret kiosk, located at the northern end of the Paseo de La Explanada in Alicante, is preparing for a fresh start under new management. The successful bidder for the municipal concession, Hotel Boutique Isla de Tabarca, has finalised a rebranding project designed to breathe new life into the historic site, which has been a staple of the city since it first opened in 1915.
The most striking change in the redesign is the colour scheme. Moving away from the green that defined its recent years, the structure will now be painted blue. This choice is a deliberate nod to the famous undulating wave patterns of the mosaic tiles that line the promenade. Furthermore, the 39-square-metre interior will be opened up, making the shop more visible to passers-by from all four facades.
While the kiosk remains fundamentally linked to the sale of artisan ice cream, the new operators plan to broaden the offering. New display cases will showcase traditional ice creams and slushies alongside baked goods suitable for breakfast or afternoon snacks. The venue will also expand its cocktail menu and serve a variety of cold, grilled, and baked food. Operating under a cafeteria-ice cream parlour licence without a full kitchen, the establishment is permitted to use grills, toasters, and ovens, provided no smoke is generated.
This transformation follows more than a year of closure. The Alicante City Council ordered the site to be shut and vacated in May last year following a contract dispute regarding unpaid fees with the previous tenant. Work is now progressing on the interior and exterior refurbishment, with the aim of reopening the doors before the end of this month.
The administrators of Hotel Boutique Isla de Tabarca, brothers Juan Carlos and Luis Castillo, have already applied for permits to set up a 180-square-metre outdoor terrace on the promenade. Although a final decision on the name has not been reached, the owners are considering negotiating to keep the historic “Peret” name, though they are also exploring new branding options for this new era.
The concession was awarded after the company presented a bid of over four million euro (4,023,523.38 euro), the highest of six proposals. The contract allows for an initial seven-year term, with the possibility of two three-year extensions, potentially reaching a total of 13 years.
