The sale has been on at this little shoe and slipper shop for as long as I’ve been walking past, but with everything still not gone, it somehow just soldiers on.
Photographs from a small group of islands
The sale has been on at this little shoe and slipper shop for as long as I’ve been walking past, but with everything still not gone, it somehow just soldiers on.
Günter says
He doesn’t look so happy. I don’t think he is going to make many sales.
Lee says
No, he doesn’t. First time for me to see the owner, but I don’t imagine he’s made a sale in years. And yet the shop remains open…
Richard says
If he owns the building outright, he doesn’t need to make many sales….enough to buy the groceries and keep the lights on.
Lee says
Yeah, that’s always been my assumption too. The only explanation that makes sense for so many of these shops. And presumably they open every day regardless cos that’s just what they have always done….
Richard says
Work provides structure and meaning to many older folks like this. Otherwise, what would they do with their time?!?
Lee says
That definitely seems to be the case with so many old shop and bar owners. And I suppose having worked almost every day their entire life, it’s all they are used to.
Richard says
My grandfather retired at age 65. After 5 years of being bored he went back to work part time. He had no hobbies. As you noted, it was all he knew. He finally quit working when he was 80 years old and my grandmother and he moved to a different city to be closer to family.
Thanks for the great photo! Stay safe and well…
cdilla says
That is a nice photograph of the guy. He looks part of the premises. Comfortable wearing and surrounded by his wares.
I’ve heard and seen many times how quickly older folk fade away when work is taken away from them. The harder they worked the quicker the decline it seems to me. My Mum worked until her eyesight stopped her driving in her late seventies. She declined noticably after her forced retirement. My Dad on the other hand retired at 50 and loved every minute of the subsequent four decades. I’m pretty sure I’ll be OK, my work is almost indistinguishable from my hobbies.
john says
Ah! The joys of an open plan office!
Lee says
Yes, plenty of room to stretch his legs, plus a selection of slippers for extra comfort.
Mellie Mel says
It’s always spring in that shop