The opening of Weber Store Lisbon, in the Quinta da Eira garden center in Sintra, has provided Horto do Campo Grande (HCG) with a new gathering space where nature and barbecue come together. Beyond being the perfect place to discover the extensive range of Weber grills and accessories, the Grill Academy—a space designed for those who value the outdoors and sharing around the grill—allows you to discover the best techniques and knowledge through themed courses led by our Grill Master, Gabriel Lascas.
To get to know the soul of this project and the face that will represent it on a daily basis, we spoke with Gabriel Lascas, who explained what motivated him to accept this challenge.
The opening of Weber Store Lisbon marks a new chapter in the history of this garden center. What did you feel when you received the invitation to take on this challenge?
I received and accepted this new challenge with great appreciation, due to the curiosity and passion I have in this area, but also for the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of Weber, an internationally renowned brand that I had the opportunity to discover when I joined the Horto do Campo Grande Group in 2019.
What excites you most about this project?
Seeing the birth and following the creation of this new space, and all the new services that will very soon be available, resulting in a unique, large-scale space where customers have access to a distinctive display, can view the brand’s extensive range of both grills and accessories and consumables. In addition, they can find professional advice and clarify doubts, so they can get the full potential when using a Weber grill. Ultimately, it will be another opportunity for the Quinta da Eira garden center to grow and provide a more comprehensive offering to all HCG customers, and for me to have the opportunity to be part of that growth.
Weber Store Lisbon is located in the HCG – Quinta da Eira garden center in Sintra, a privileged space surrounded by nature. How does this setting influence the store’s identity and the experience of those who visit it?
The location was chosen for its strategic position, close to Lisbon, Oeiras, Sintra, and Cascais, with a large parking area and for allowing a very generous display area—conditions that HCG considered essential to proceed with the investment.
This garden center offers a unique setting that allows all who visit us to enjoy a pleasant stroll through the outdoor spaces—filled with numerous species of plants, trees and shrubs, pots, stone sculptures—and indoor areas, where customers find, in addition to plants and pots, an extensive range of decorative items, now enriched with the Weber Store and Grill Academy, two new offerings that we hope will satisfy our customers.
What impact do you believe this opening will have on how HCG customers, and more specifically residents of greater Lisbon, experience outdoor spaces?
I believe the opening of this new space will benefit not only residents of greater Lisbon, but also HCG customers from other regions. Increasingly, and this is a reality that intensified after lockdown, customers—both businesses and individuals—seek to enjoy relaxed moments with family or friends outdoors, preferably surrounded by nature. Weber meets exactly that desire, which today we feel has become a need, that is, to provide experiences—in this case of gathering and sharing—that last in memory.
Teamwork is part of HCG’s DNA. How would you describe the dynamics of the team involved in this project and each person’s role in bringing this new store to life?
Completing this project in record time was only possible with the help and commitment of the various departments that make up HCG, a multidisciplinary team of professionals, highly trained and well-oiled, that can easily and quickly respond to any need, whether metalwork, construction, electrical, etc.
In addition to the store, you also take on the role of Grill Master at Weber Grill Academy. How has your previous experience in the restaurant industry influenced your decision to take on this role? What does it mean to you to represent this international concept and be the face of its implementation in the Lisbon region?
I feel proud, but also the weight of the responsibility that has been delegated to me, and I will commit myself to meeting the numerous aspects that this role demands. My many years of experience in the restaurant industry left me with a taste for this area and will certainly help. Naturally, and although I am the face of this space, this project is only possible with the support of a large team.
The Grill Academy courses aim to bring customers closer to the Weber universe through practice. What can participants expect from these workshops? How do they contribute to a better experience using Weber equipment?
The Grill Academy is the culmination of the Weber experience, where everyone can enjoy close learning, as the courses will have a limited number of participants. There are courses with different themes, so you can learn to get the most out of Weber grills, using the most appropriate accessories for each type of dish you want to prepare, from barbecue—meat and fish—to pizzas, or preparing a starter or dessert, everything is possible with a Weber grill. There will be themed courses for different levels, so everyone can attend and leave with new skills, as all courses are certified. And the best part is that at the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to enjoy all the dishes prepared.
How can the courses also be used in team building activities or other initiatives aimed at the corporate market?
We are located close to office centers where most people live at a fast pace and have few moments to be with colleagues, to share hobbies or activities they do beyond daily work.
This relaxed way of learning around the grill is great for bringing teams together, enjoying moments of gathering and good spirits, and strengthening bonds. In addition, these courses will be customized and developed specifically for each group, taking into account their objectives, and can be integrated into corporate motivation activities, gifts for employees and family, etc.
And looking to the future: what dreams or goals would you like to see achieved with this project?
We are developing our website where, in addition to selling products, we will offer a range of services including assembly, assistance, and equipment maintenance, and include an equipment rental service, just as we have the HCG plant rental service. This way, anyone who needs a grill temporarily, for an event with more people or simply for those who don’t want to purchase one, can rent it here.
I am very confident in the success of this project and believe that through daily contact with customers, we will identify other needs that will allow us to grow the range of new products and services very quickly.
Learn more about Weber Store Lisbon here.
© Companhia das Cores for Horto do Campo Grande
