An Interview with Toni Torrens
Owner of Grupo Store in Puerto de Pollença.
Toni Torrens is not just the owner and manager of Grupo Store; he’s a passionate advocate for Puerto de Pollença’s heritage and lifestyle. Born and raised in this picturesque coastal town, Toni’s life has been a journey of exploration and return. From his early days in the “Eu Moll” neighbourhood, Toni has witnessed his hometown’s transformation, yet he has never lost touch with its essence. After years spent traveling and working in other parts of Spain and abroad, Toni came back to Puerto de Pollença with a renewed sense of purpose: to bring his unique vision of community, hospitality, and Mallorcan tradition to his ventures.
By Mar Piris
3/1/25
Toni Torrens is not just the owner and manager of Grupo Store; he’s a passionate advocate for Puerto de Pollença’s heritage and lifestyle.
Through Store Formentor Deli & Bistro, his delivery services, and his newest bar venture, La Rovina, Toni has created spaces that reflect his deep-rooted connection to Mallorcan culture. His establishments are not just businesses; they’re community hubs where locals and visitors alike can experience the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that defines life in Puerto de Pollença. In this interview, Toni shares his story, his motivations, and his dreams for the future.
Toni, you’re a “Mollero,” as they say here, a local of Eu Moll, Port de Pollença. You’ve grown up surrounded by the beauty of this area, and now, with Grupo Store, you’re bringing a piece of it to others. What comes to mind when you look back on this journey?
It’s a mix of joy, pride, and a strong desire to make something meaningful of “our land, our environment.” It’s our heritage. Everything else just falls into place naturally. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to open my doors to the people here, and to so many international visitors, sharing what makes our culture special.
The Store Formentor Deli & Bistro is well-known. What does it represent for you personally?
(Laughs) For me, it was like freedom returning to my town after being away for a long time working and travelling. From the age of 18, I was totally disconnected from Eu Moll, Port de Pollença. I travelled to England, the Canary Islands, and spent time in Cala Ratjada, Alcudia, and even Magaluf—practically from 19 to 33. So, having the opportunity to return to my roots reaffirmed me as a person. It was very hard and challenging to start a new chapter as an entrepreneur in my lifelong town. When I returned, I had to organise my life a bit. I thought, “That’s it, I’ve done what I had to do with new experiences. Now I can earn my living quietly and with intentions of retiring.”(Laughs)… It turned out to be quite the opposite!
I started with a small shop, the “Store,” and little by little, I began offering coffees, a few beers, then “pa amb oli,” snacks, some anchovies, and meatballs. Look at us now—we have a space where we offer everything. We believe the important thing is that our clients feel comfortable in a pleasant and relaxed environment, which is what I would want when I visit a place and have free time to enjoy it.
Store Formentor also offers delivery services for private events, allowing people to enjoy Mallorcan cuisine at home. How did that aspect of your business evolve?
Yes, the Store is in an area away from the centre of the port, and most of our clients who come to spend a few days in their homes or on holiday don’t feel like throwing a party or cooking. They come to the Store, feel at ease, and ask us if we can deliver a dinner service or cook them a paella or organise a buffet. We start like that—of course, we don’t want to say no! Most of our clients end up becoming friends.
We offer everything from a classic Mallorcan buffet, where we serve what we used to make at home—potato omelettes, good salad, croquettes, and a must-have “Trampó”—to barbecues and paellas made right before their eyes. It’s a bit of a show, which is typical here. Most of our clients expect something informal; they come to relax and have a good time. We want to offer a casual concept like in our other spaces, without striving for excellence in catering, but with quality cuisine, pleasant service, and above all, making them feel at home.
Tell us about learning to ride a bike. It seems like a memory tied to where you grew up.
My goodness…(laughs) I learned with my friends back in the old neighbourhood of Siller, back when it was mostly countryside. Now it’s all developed.
Speaking of La Rovina, what inspired you to open this unique vermouth bar in Miquel Capllonch square?
Yes, the name “La Rovina” is a nod to our family nickname. When friends and people from the village referred to my father, they would say, “Sebastiá de la Rovina,” or to me, “Toni de la Rovina.” It’s common to have a nickname on the island, especially if you were born in the countryside.
At “La Rovina,” the idea is to offer something a bit different from what Puerto de Pollença typically provides, without disqualifying my colleagues in the profession, of course. I’m not really a restaurant professional, but after so many years working in bars and enjoying music, what I truly seek is to interact with people—both locals and visitors.
My passion lies in being in front of the public. I’ve never been a restaurateur, but I know a bit about the business after all these years. We aim to create a space for locals—a place to meet up, have fun, and share their free time with the townspeople, open year-round. Just as our grandparents used to do: go to the square, have a vermouth, a coffee, a tapa, enjoy a drink on weekends, and listen to good music. The most Mallorcan thing is to meet in the square. We always said: “Mos veim a la Plaça,” and we knew which bar to go to. We also welcome those visiting us to share a pleasant time, experience the local atmosphere, and get closer to our culture, character, and lifestyle, which make Mallorca so attractive. Only in this way can we maintain pure tradition.
Your journey began with a small shop, and now you have a few stores, including Voramar. What’s next for Grupo Store?
Yes, the shop where it all began and where I intended to retire is now next to Store Formentor. We have a supermarket there with everything. We also have another one about four blocks towards the centre called “Voramar,” with access from the beach on Paseo Anglada Camarasa. This coming summer 2025, we will introduce a takeaway home-cooked food service, featuring the most requested dishes—a very practical service that many customers demand, whether in the holiday rental sector, for pleasure boats, or even for neighbours. They will be able to come and get their menus without sacrificing a good home-cooked meal, which will include many dishes from the Balearic Islands.
Finally, if you had to identify with a character, either from fiction or real life, who would it be?
(Laughs) Definitely Lucifer, the rebellious angel.
More information about Store Formentor Deli & Bistro can be found at:
Reopens in March
You can keep up-to-date on La Rovina Vemuteria on Instagram:
www.instagram.com/ larovinavermuteria
Winter Opening Times
(until March):
Wednesday 8:30-02:00h
Thursday - Sunday - 11:00-02:00h
Store Formentor also offers delivery services for private events, allowing people to enjoy Mallorcan cuisine at home. How did that aspect of your business evolve?
Yes, the Store is in an area away from the centre of the port, and most of our clients who come to spend a few days in their homes or on holiday don’t feel like throwing a party or cooking. They come to the Store, feel at ease, and ask us if we can deliver a dinner service or cook them a paella or organise a buffet. We start like that—of course, we don’t want to say no! Most of our clients end up becoming friends.
We offer everything from a classic Mallorcan buffet, where we serve what we used to make at home—potato omelettes, good salad, croquettes, and a must-have “Trampó”—to barbecues and paellas made right before their eyes. It’s a bit of a show, which is typical here. Most of our clients expect something informal; they come to relax and have a good time. We want to offer a casual concept like in our other spaces, without striving for excellence in catering, but with quality cuisine, pleasant service, and above all, making them feel at home.
Tell us about learning to ride a bike. It seems like a memory tied to where you grew up.
My goodness…(laughs) I learned with my friends back in the old neighbourhood of Siller, back when it was mostly countryside. Now it’s all developed.
Speaking of La Rovina, what inspired you to open this unique vermouth bar in Miquel Capllonch square?
Yes, the name “La Rovina” is a nod to our family nickname. When friends and people from the village referred to my father, they would say, “Sebastiá de la Rovina,” or to me, “Toni de la Rovina.” It’s common to have a nickname on the island, especially if you were born in the countryside.
At “La Rovina,” the idea is to offer something a bit different from what Puerto de Pollença typically provides, without disqualifying my colleagues in the profession, of course. I’m not really a restaurant professional, but after so many years working in bars and enjoying music, what I truly seek is to interact with people—both locals and visitors.
My passion lies in being in front of the public. I’ve never been a restaurateur, but I know a bit about the business after all these years. We aim to create a space for locals—a place to meet up, have fun, and share their free time with the townspeople, open year-round. Just as our grandparents used to do: go to the square, have a vermouth, a coffee, a tapa, enjoy a drink on weekends, and listen to good music. The most Mallorcan thing is to meet in the square. We always said: “Mos veim a la Plaça,” and we knew which bar to go to. We also welcome those visiting us to share a pleasant time, experience the local atmosphere, and get closer to our culture, character, and lifestyle, which make Mallorca so attractive. Only in this way can we maintain pure tradition.
Your journey began with a small shop, and now you have a few stores, including Voramar. What’s next for Grupo Store?
Yes, the shop where it all began and where I intended to retire is now next to Store Formentor. We have a supermarket there with everything. We also have another one about four blocks towards the centre called “Voramar,” with access from the beach on Paseo Anglada Camarasa. This coming summer 2025, we will introduce a takeaway home-cooked food service, featuring the most requested dishes—a very practical service that many customers demand, whether in the holiday rental sector, for pleasure boats, or even for neighbours. They will be able to come and get their menus without sacrificing a good home-cooked meal, which will include many dishes from the Balearic Islands.
Finally, if you had to identify with a character, either from fiction or real life, who would it be?
(Laughs) Definitely Lucifer, the rebellious angel.
More information about Store Formentor Deli & Bistro can be found at:
Reopens in March
You can keep up-to-date on La Rovina Vemuteria on Instagram:
www.instagram.com/ larovinavermuteria
Winter Opening Times
(until March):
Wednesday 8:30-02:00h
Thursday - Sunday - 11:00-02:00h