In the heart of Bilbao’s old town, the city’s last umbrella repair and sales workshop is still open for business. Its owner, Lourdes Leoz, not only sells umbrellas—she also repairs them and even sews new ones right behind the counter in her shop. Increasingly, environmentally conscious locals are choosing to fix their old umbrellas instead of buying new ones. This trend helps sustain demand, even as rainy days in Bilbao become less frequent.
However, despite her loyal clientele, Lourdes’ business has seen better days. Over the past twenty years, her revenue has dropped by a quarter. The reason is simple: there’s less rain, umbrellas break less often, and there’s consequently less work. After 44 years at the helm of her family’s business, Lourdes has become a true master, yet she admits the craft of umbrella making is disappearing with her—there’s no specialized training for the trade. Everything she knows was passed down from her father and grandfather.
The succession problem
The most common repairs are broken ribs after strong winds and worn tips. Men, Lourdes notes, often use umbrellas as walking sticks, causing the parts to wear out quickly. Repairs typically cost clients between 10 and 20 euros, but many wonder whether it’s easier just to buy a new umbrella for the same price. According to the owner, a good umbrella should cost at least 30 euros, and some models in her shop are priced at a hundred—these are usually bought for special occasions.
Lourdes doesn’t know what the future holds for her workshop. In eight years, the business will turn one hundred, but none of her children want to continue the family tradition. She has yet to find a successor, but hopes to do so through a special support program that has already helped hundreds of other entrepreneurs transfer their shops to new owners.
Support Program
A unique initiative is underway in Bizkaia to preserve small family-run shops. The project connects those looking to pass on their business with aspiring entrepreneurs. In three years, the program has successfully facilitated the transfer of more than two hundred businesses. Its key feature is not merely a change of ownership, but the transfer of experience: new owners are introduced to suppliers, customer bases, and the intricacies of running the store.
Interestingly, many of the new owners are migrants. According to local officials, newcomers are often the most willing to take over small shops and invest their efforts in developing them. As a result, many traditional stores get a new lease on life and familiar infrastructure is preserved in cities.
New Success Stories
A similar story took place in Getxo, where young entrepreneur Camino Machagatos became the owner of a delicatessen. She had long dreamed of running her own business and seized the chance to acquire an existing shop. The former owners helped her adapt, and loyal customers continued to support the store. Camino expanded the range of products while preserving the shop’s signature style and the atmosphere that made it popular with locals.
Business transfers are handled through a dedicated website featuring a map of all shops available for purchase. Most listings are in Bilbao, but options are available across the region. After finalizing the deal, new owners may receive up to €20,000 in financial support to cover start-up costs. The transfer price varies: from €5,000 for a small hair salon to €200,000 for a large metalworking workshop.
The importance of small shops
The program was launched in response to a wave of family-run shops closing their doors: children of owners are increasingly choosing other professions, leaving traditional shops without successors. Regional authorities stress that small businesses are the backbone of urban life and provide jobs to most residents. Without them, streets grow empty and the local economy becomes less resilient.
In most cases, businesses are handed over when owners retire, but sometimes life changes or changing priorities are the reason. New owners often introduce modern technologies and update processes while preserving the traditional character of the store.
If you didn’t know, Lourdes Leos is the third generation of her family to run the last umbrella workshop in Bilbao. Her shop is not just a retail space, but a piece of the city’s history. The business transfer support program in Biscay was one of the first in Spain, and has already helped save hundreds of small businesses. Thanks to this initiative, traditional shops get a chance at a new life, and the experience and knowledge of craftsmen are not lost when they retire.
