Step Back in Time at Colmado Soller in Camuy

If you venture deep into Camuy, you'll reach the crossroads of PR-451 and PR-486, where the towns of San Sebastián, Lares, and Camuy converge. Standing quietly at this junction is a weathered sentinel of Puerto Rican history: Colmado Soller. Founded in 1882, it is considered the oldest colmado (corner store) in Puerto Rico. After being closed for years, it reopened in 2025 - as not just as a place to grab a drink and hang out, but as a living museum steeped in nostalgia, inviting visitors to reminisce about the past.

Originally established as a supply hub for the surrounding community, Colmado Soller's history is deeply intertwined with Central Sóller, a sugar mill founded in 1910. For decades, the colmado served as the primary trading post for mill workers and their families. When the sugar mill shut down in the late 1960s, the colmado endured, gradually transforming into more of a bar while retaining the look and feel of an old country store. Eventually, it too closed — until its thoughtful refurbishment and reopening in 2025 as a small bar filled with carefully preserved antiques and memories.

Stepping inside Colmado Soller feels like entering a time capsule. Murals depicting the old sugar mill and local scenes line the walls, alongside tools and supplies once sold and used here. You can enjoy a cold drink while gazing out toward the fields where the massive mill once buzzed with activity. The offerings are simple — a small selection of drinks and snacks, plus Colmado Soller T-shirts — but the experience is rich. Take your time, look around, and let the past sink in. If you find yourself in the area, it’s well worth a visit.

Details

Free to visit - but buy a T-shirt, drink/snack, or trinket while you're there.

They are open Thursdays through Sundays from 12 noon until 5pm (but could sometimes be 11-ish to 6-ish!).

Located at the intersection of Road 455 and Road 453 in Camuy.