End of an Era: Palma's Oldest Haberdashery Closes After 340 Years

Mercería Àngela in Palma's Old Town is closing — 340 years of family operation come to an end. For residents, it's more than just a shop; it's a piece of the city's history.

A shop that sold more than needles

The small brass buttons in the shop window still glitter, but the door to Mercería Àngela will soon be closed. After 340 years and in the eleventh generation of the family, this unusual shop story ends in Palma's Old Town. Anyone passing by on a cool morning stops – not only because of the clearance signs, but because the mood is heavier than usual.

Photos instead of purchases

\"In the past, the neighbors came with lists, today people stop and take photos,\" says the owner with a laugh, then his voice grows serious. The small shop, hidden in a narrow alley not far from Plaça Major, was always a place where you could get buttons, sewing thread or repair advice. A handful of loyal customers and the view of old ledgers — that was the daily mix.

The last goods are now being offered as part of a clearance sale: skeins of yarn, shrinking glue, small scissors, fabric scraps. The atmosphere recalls the scent of old wood and the fresh coffee from the bar next door. Some locals stop, tell an anecdote, close their eyes briefly.

What stays, what comes?

What will happen to the storefront is still undecided. Prospective buyers have already been spotted; speculation ranges: a café? A souvenir shop? Or perhaps an office. For many that sounds trivial, for others it is a loss: a piece of lived artisan craft that is slowly disappearing from the city.

The closure raises questions that go beyond this one shop: How do tourism, changing shopping habits and rising rents affect our city centers? And who bears the responsibility that small crafts businesses have a future?

For the family, an era ends. Despite all nostalgia there is understanding: the younger generation wants to pursue different paths; logistical challenges and falling sales had accelerated the decision. In the end they emptied the shelves with dignity—and swung the door to the closing again so neighbors could wave.

A farewell with mixed feelings: For tourists it's one less photo spot. For Palma's residents it's a chapter that is being closed. And for the street the question remains: What comes next?