From the Biovega archive. An edited, abridged translation of a post from the former website, retaining its original publication date. Information refers to that period.
In September 2020, the bio&bio store at Ilica 70 celebrated fifteen years of operation. The neighbourhood shop had developed into a meeting place for people interested in organic products, as well as a space for advice, conversation and shared experience.
Jadranka Boban Pejić and Zlatko Pejić recalled the earlier beginnings: in 1994, they opened a first-floor shop at Ilica 72, in premises that also housed Makronova and a vegan restaurant. They wanted course participants and restaurant guests to be able to buy quality organic ingredients.
The combination of education, information and retail remained central to the bio&bio concept. The store at Ilica 70 brought this idea to street level, with an emphasis on whole foods, reliable information and personal relationships with customers.
At the time of the anniversary, bio&bio operated 16 stores and a web shop. Organic certification was highlighted as a core requirement for its food range. The founders described customer trust as something to preserve through consistency and the commitment of the whole team.
They also recalled fitting out the Ilica premises: materials found on site, including wood and iron, were reused in the shop. The anniversary month provided an opportunity to improve the space while retaining its distinctive character. Store numbers refer to 2020.