From earrings and watches to typewriters and military helmets, thousands of items are piled on the shelves and in the display cases of this unique establishment in the Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera neighborhood. Francesc Raich, at the helm of the business since 2004, keeps his passion for collecting alive despite being of retirement age.

His hobby began in childhood when, after his father's death, he spent some time on a family farmhouse with over a century of history. The attic of that place was a true repository of relics, from antique clocks to Latin documents discussing family rights and properties. This experience forged his interest in investigating the origin and history of each object.

Over time, Raich, who was professionally an agricultural technician, expanded his collection to fill a 200-square-meter warehouse. The shop in Ciutat Vella, which he opened when he was 35 years old, became a benchmark, known for its ability to 'find a second life for things'. The neighborhood, in fact, brings him broken furniture to restore or objects they don't know what to do with.

However, Raich has observed a recent change in trend, with more neighbors coming to him due to real estate pressure forcing them to leave the neighborhood. He has also witnessed the transformation of the area, which has gone from being sparsely populated to attracting tourists of all nationalities, who have become regular customers, looking for jewelry, glasses, and other unique items.

Currently, Francesc Raich works under an active retirement scheme, combining his pension with part-time management of the shop. The neighborhood association expresses its desire for the business to continue, concerned about the potential loss of such an emblematic establishment in favor of another souvenir shop. Raich, however, is skeptical about its continuity without a suitable successor, one who possesses passion and can earn a decent living.