Mercearia do Lauro

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. One morning, a regular asked the cashier: ‘Why does that old lady always buy only one lemon?’ No one knew until they saw her making giant batches of marmalade for the whole neighborhood. Then one day, a delivery driver noticed an unusual sight: she was using not just lemons, but also oranges and bananas! Turns out, she was experimenting with exotic jam recipes for everyone’s delight. The town now jokes that Mercearia do Lauro has more flavors than a Russian blini festival.

2. In the aisles of Mercearia do Lauro, customers often turn to each other with wide-eyed wonder. Every Wednesday afternoon, just as the sun begins its descent, an elderly pigeon appears, perched on the top shelf of the cereal section. One day, a regular noticed the pigeon and decided to follow it. He found himself standing in front of a box of organic oats, where the bird had been diligently collecting seeds. A delivery driver overheard him laughing and asked what all the fuss was about. The regular replied, ‘I think our feathered friend here is trying to stock up for retirement.’ Everyone burst out laughing, realizing that maybe Mercearia do Lauro’s most loyal customer wasn’t human after all.

3. At midnight one night, a delivery driver pulled up to the loading dock and noticed an unfamiliar van parked next to theirs. Curious, he walked over to investigate—and found himself staring into the reflection of dozens of empty shopping baskets. Confused, the driver peered inside his own van—everything was normal. Just as he turned around, a familiar voice called out from behind him: ‘Hey, you forgot your basket!’ Startled, he spun back to see an old neighbor waving cheerfully from the door. The story became legendary among employees, but no one ever dared leave their shopping cart after dark again.

4. At dusk, a small boy entered Mercearia do Lauro, drawn by the strange glow coming from an empty shelf. Curious, he approached it, only to see a shadowy figure rearranging cans in perfect order. The boy watched in amazement as the shadow placed each can with meticulous precision. Finally, the figure turned around—a friendly old neighbor who delivered groceries every week. ‘Just helping out,’ she said with a smile, ‘your mom always forgets where things go.’