After nearly three decades serving the Sancho el Sabio neighborhood, Bazar Xu is set to close between September and October 2026. Owner Hua Lan, now 70, is stepping back after recent spinal surgery, bringing an end to one of Vitoria-Gasteiz’s longest-standing family businesses.
Opened in 1999 in a 260-square-meter space, Bazar Xu quickly became a go-to destination for toys and school supplies, along with gifts and household essentials. Generations of customers have grown up with the shop, with many returning as adults or bringing their own children. Its shelves, once packed with a wide variety of goods, will gradually empty as all remaining stock is sold at a 50% discount until the final closure.
Family Roots and Community Ties
The story of Bazar Xu began long before it opened. In 1991, Hai Bin, Hua Lan’s husband, arrived in Spain from Qingtian county in China’s Zhejiang province, seeking new opportunities. Five years later, Hua Lan and their two children, Xu Jun and Xu Jie, joined him. The family first worked in a Chinese restaurant, saving enough to launch their own venture. By 1999, they had established one of the first shops of its kind in Vitoria, which soon became both their livelihood and a familiar presence in the neighborhood.
Throughout the shop’s 27-year history, Hua Lan remained the face behind the counter. Her children helped out in their youth before pursuing their own careers: Xu Jie now works in a warehouse on Avenida del Atlántico, while Xu Jun works in a nearby restaurant. The family watched the area change, including the growth of the sequoia tree at the entrance of Calle Gorbea and the arrival of the tram, as their customers’ needs evolved.
Health and the Decision to Close
Hua Lan’s recent back surgery, performed in China, was the turning point. Though reluctant to leave the business she built, she had to make the decision because of her health. “It saddens me, but I have no choice,” she explained. On returning to Vitoria, she realized it was time to rest and close this chapter of her life.
Until the final day, the shop will continue to serve its loyal clientele, offering every product at half price. The liquidation is also a farewell gesture to the community that has supported the family for so many years. Hua Lan hopes to thank her customers personally as the shelves empty and the shop prepares to close for the last time.
Marking the End of an Era
Bazar Xu’s closure ends a 35-year journey that began with Hai Bin’s arrival in Spain. The shop’s departure will leave a noticeable gap in daily life in Sancho el Sabio, where it has long offered quick solutions for urgent purchases and last-minute gifts. As the city continues to evolve, the disappearance of family-run businesses reflects broader changes in local commerce and community life.
Those changes are part of a wider conversation about the future of neighborhood retail in Vitoria-Gasteiz. El Correo reported on 22 October 2026 that the city had launched a phased service to anticipate shop closures and support business transfers, with the aim of preventing avoidable closures. Separately, regional coverage has described pressure on Basque retailers, with spending concentrated in particular periods and merchants in sectors including personal equipment and food reporting weak results.
Urban planning is also changing amid these commercial challenges. Noticias de Álava reported on 23 October that Vitoria-Gasteiz had given initial approval to changes allowing vacant ground-floor commercial premises to become homes or live-work units, amid housing shortages. The proposals address the wider future of empty premises and neighborhood streets as the city adapts.
Vitoria’s retail field has seen similar transformations in recent years, with shopping centers like H2O in Rivas Vaciamadrid investing in new experiences and modernized spaces to attract visitors, as highlighted in coverage of H2O’s summer upgrades. Bazar Xu’s story reflects the personal histories and community bonds behind neighborhood shops.
