A sign in the window of Sabateria Martínez announces the closing down sale of a business with decades of history, situated between the neighborhoods of Creu Alta and Concòrdia. The owner, Gabriel Martínez, explains that the decision is a response to profound changes that have transformed the footwear sector, making it “very complicated” to maintain a small business.
“"Since the pandemic, people have moved towards Internet and we have lost a lot of young customers."
Martínez points out that the pressure of online sales, rising costs, and administrative demands have taken their toll. He mentions factors such as “taxes, data protection courses, waste management, and many inspections” which, according to him, put “spokes in the wheels” of small businesses.
The store is the result of decades of family legacy, as Gabriel Martínez’s parents were already selling shoes in street markets 57 years ago. The business experienced a golden age during the eighties and nineties, but the current trend towards sneakers and fast fashion has particularly affected traditional leather footwear.
This situation has led to an aging customer profile, as “the youth do not come.” Martínez regrets that the lack of generational replacement affects not only the clientele but also the historic businesses in the area, concluding that he wants his son to “live better” than he did.
