Inside the store, lamps from all eras mix: there are crystal pieces from mansions, handmade lampshades by Maria Gabriela and modern lamps designed by Maria Eugénia. “We do everything. We repair, design and restore. We have already done work for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and even the Palácio da Ajuda”, he says.
Tradition and modernization
Since the 1970s, says Messias, the family business has undergone decades of transformation in the neighborhood and in the city of Lisbon itself. “In the past, there were many workshops, carpentry shops, small factories nearby. Now it’s rare. Everything gradually closed down”, he laments.
“Rents are very high, it is very difficult for a small business to survive. But, fortunately, we have loyal customers and a lot of demand from those who discover us for the first time. Of course it’s worrying to see stores closing, but we’ve still done a lot”, he highlights.
For Messias, the main advantage of being in the Anjos region is precisely the hub culture into which the area has become. “The neighborhood is very busy. There are new cafes, bakeries and restaurants, and this ends up helping us. People pass by, look at the windows, come in, get curious. It gives a new dynamic and visibility too”, says Messias, without a tone of resentment and more like someone who recognizes that, to continue standing, it is necessary to accept the new context of the city.