Portugal’s and Lisbon’s second-oldest bookstore, and one that has been long-lasting by any measure is closing, citing ‘financial and accounting problems.’
Ferin, founded in 1840 by a Belgian family that settled in Portugal during the Napoleonic Wars, was noted as not only having a wide range of books but also serving as a venue for concerts and readings.
It was in failing condition when a new owner, who also operated another bookstore, was found in 2017 and made headway in turning the store’s fortunes around, but Covid and the lingering “monumental accumulated historical debt” turned the tide against it. The final blow came when the new owner died of cancer earlier this year.
