End of an Era
As we know, things are tough in Greece at the moment, and many small businesses are suffering. The downturn in the economy, the rise in taxes and VAT, the fall in tourism in some places… Well, sadly, another old Symi business will soon be closing.
Yiannis took over the whitesmith business in Yialos from his grandfather a few years ago. This is the workshop/shop in the backstreet that runs parallel to the sea. You can find it at the end of the lane that runs from Pacho’s to Taxas, but you will only be able to find it there until the end of September. We chatted with Yiannis and his wife, Honnie, the other day and they have sent me the following message:
“It is truly a sad time. Giannis is feeling sad, as the business was passed down from his Grandfather with the promise to keep it alive. So many of the older men come and sit here for hours reminiscing about Patsakis and their times, and the older woman leave their shopping, so they don’t have to carry it. The tourists and their memories of Giannis as a young boy and his Pappous and the dark and dingy workshop. When he is working it takes him somewhere safe, somewhere familiar in his heart.
I would like to send you a link to look at, click here for a Vimeo video of the workshop.
I will send you photos. I am not a photographer at all. We are asking if there are any orders they should be placed by the last week of September. All stock excluding Giannis’ work is 30-50% off.”
I have included some more of the photos below so you can see that the shop not only sells the homemade, crafted traditional metal items that Yiannis makes but jewellery and other wonderful items. If you go there, you will find a friendly reception and be able to see one of the few remaining artisan shops that Symi currently has to offer. Times are changing, though, and these kinds of craft workshops are dying out. It looks like you have until September to make the most of it before it goes the way of many others and becomes only a memory.
