Montserrat Martí Guadall, 79, has served customers from behind the counter of Llibreria Pompeia for nearly 60 years. This family-run bookshop, located at Carrer Cardenal Casañas, 5 in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, celebrates 104 years since its opening in 1922.
Her maternal grandparents, Joan Guadall and Ramona Bel, founded the shop. They started the business after working as caretakers for a sociocultural entity called Pompeia on Gran Via. "They thought it would be good to set up on their own," Montserrat explained, "and they found this location."
The shop occupies a more than 300-year-old building. This historic site once served as the "seat of the men of the sea," according to Montserrat. Before Llibreria Pompeia, a fishing tackle shop operated in the same premises.
Initially, the shop sold stationery items. Later, it focused on school supplies, including chalk, rulers, and wooden rulers for drawing lines. The family also distributed slates and inkwells directly to schools. Montserrat still keeps an old glass inkwell with a silver collar, a treasured item from the shop's past.
A Legacy of Personal Service
Ricard Martí Permanyer, Montserrat's nephew, represents the fourth generation working at Llibreria Pompeia. He joined to help his aunt after she injured her arm and decided to stay. "I liked it very much. I have a great time here," Ricard stated. He previously worked in administrative roles but enjoys the direct interaction with people at the bookshop.
Ricard highlights the shop's unique customer approach. "Clients are welcome here, but we do not have supermarket clientele," he explained. "People come in and ask what they want. Based on their preferences, you bring out books you know you can recommend." He added that they ask returning customers about books they have read, as the staff cannot read everything.
Connecting with the Community
The bookshop's location, close to La Rambla and Santa Maria del Pi, attracts many international visitors. Llibreria Pompeia stocks books in English, primarily city guides for Barcelona and Catalonia, cookbooks, and some novels. They also sell postcards featuring drawings of Barcelona's main monuments by a local artist.
"We also act a lot like local police," Ricard commented. "People often come in asking how to get to Passeig de Gràcia or the cathedral." He joked that if they charged five cents for each direction request, they would be millionaires. Ricard describes the shop's street as "a very picturesque place," full of history and foot traffic.
Adapting Through the Decades
Montserrat's parents, Leonor and Ramon Martí, continued the family business. Leonor, one of the founders' three children, eventually took over the shop. Her brother Josep started a paper manipulation workshop in Barcelona, making notebooks. Another brother sold clothing pieces for dressmakers.
The shop gradually shifted its focus from wholesale stationery distribution to literature. This change occurred when publishing houses began selling directly to schools. "You could not compete with publishers who offered gifts to schools," Montserrat recalled. She joined the shop at 24 when her father fell ill, taking charge while her mother cared for him.
Preserving Analog Traditions
Llibreria Pompeia maintains much of its original furniture from 1922. The shelves hold a mix of current titles, second-hand books, and a small section for self-published authors. "This way, we help them get known," Ricard explained. "They leave their books with us on consignment."
The shop also preserves many traditional items. These include old calligraphy and mathematics notebooks, familiar to generations of Barcelonians. These manuals teach good handwriting, a skill Montserrat believes is essential today. She notes that many customers buy them because "most people who buy do not write at home, and schools do not teach them to write well."
Montserrat herself embraces an analog lifestyle. She does not own a mobile phone. "Whoever wants to call me should do so on the shop's landline," she stated. "I do not want to get home and have to start answering messages."
The Enduring Spirit of Sant Jordi
Sant Jordi Day remains "by far the best day of the year" for Llibreria Pompeia, according to Ricard. This is not just due to book sales but also the festive atmosphere. "On a normal day, if people accumulate, you notice they get anxious," Ricard said. "However, on Sant Jordi Day, people experience it as a celebration, and everyone waits happily."
The shop prides itself on its local service. If a book is not in stock, they order it and call the customer when it arrives. "People have become very lazy now, they do not go into shops to buy," Ricard observed. "But here you can look, ask, touch, and in clothing shops, try on and let yourself be advised." Montserrat, who turns 80 this month, continues to open the shop every morning at 09:00. Her dedication ensures Llibreria Pompeia remains a beloved fixture in Barcelona's historic heart.
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Originally published by VilaWeb Feed. Read original article.
