Last Newsstand on Pau Claris Avenue in La Seu d'Urgell Closes Due to Retirement

After 21 years of service, the establishment, a local landmark, seeks a successor to prevent its definitive closure on June 3.

Generic image of newspapers and magazines at a newsstand.
IA

Generic image of newspapers and magazines at a newsstand.

The historic newsstand on Pau Claris Avenue in La Seu d'Urgell will close its doors next June 3 due to the retirement of its manager, if a successor is not found within the next two weeks.

For 21 years, the manager has been at the helm of this business, the only one of its kind remaining in the city. Every morning, numerous residents visit the establishment to purchase newspapers, magazines, lottery tickets, or recharge their phones, fostering a strong bond with the community.
The establishment stands out for its dedication, as it only closes three days a year: Good Friday, Saint Stephen's Day, and January 1, coinciding with days without daily press. The rest of the year, its doors remain open, solidifying its status as a reference point for local residents.

"We have no continuity, there is no one who wants to work so much. Waking up very early, we only open in the morning, but we put in the hours, because at six we are on the street delivering newspapers and at two we close."

the newsstand manager
The manager explains that the closure is due to the lack of a successor, as the business requires significant daily effort. Although public service is in the morning, internal management also occupies the afternoons. The best-selling titles are Segre and La Vanguardia, and sports newspapers are also distributed to local bars. Additionally, the newsstand offers an early morning delivery service to various establishments.
Despite the rise of digital press, the manager emphasizes that there is still a loyal clientele for printed newspapers. She acknowledges that the profit margin for newspapers is minimal and that one must work intensely to earn a decent salary, but assures that it is possible to make a living from it.
One of the most valued aspects by customers is the personal bond that has been created over the years. Many customers are loyal and daily, generating a relationship that the manager describes as "like family." This close treatment, where she already knows everyone's preferences, is a key element that customers, including those from neighboring regions such as Pallars Sobirà and Cerdanya, and even from Andorra, will miss. The key to success, according to her, has been "providing good service and maintaining product order."