Lleida is set to lose one of its long-running neighbourhood shops, as Rosa Escarp butcher's in Cappont will close on 7 June after 63 years in business. The shop is on Agustins street, and the closure comes as owner Rosa Escarp retires with no family member available to take over.
The business opened in 1963 under Toni Pintor. The Escarp family bought it two years later, and Rosa Escarp has worked behind the counter for 47 years. Born in Alcarràs, she moved to Lleida at the age of five and spent most of her working life in the shop.
Escarp said the neighbourhood has changed a great deal over the decades. She recalled that when she started, many streets were not paved and there were few traffic lights. She also described Cappont as a family-oriented area, with many young couples and small children, where people knew one another.
She studied Administrative Vocational Training for five years and received job offers outside the family business, but stayed to help during the busiest years. In the 1970s and 1980s, she said there was a lot of work, and later she realised she liked the trade too. Over time, she saw generations of customers come through the shop, including families who have bought there since the first day.
Escarp said the butcher's became more than a place to buy food, it was also a meeting point for the neighbourhood. She said the trust built with customers is what she will miss most. She also noted that shopping habits have changed, with people cooking less than before and life moving faster, especially among younger people.
As she prepares for retirement, Escarp said she will remember the affection of her customers and the satisfaction of doing her job well. She said she hopes people keep a good memory of her, even as she looks forward to a quieter life and new activities.
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