Several historic locations in the centre of Florence have recently announced that they may be forced to close up shop. Due to a changing economic climate that no longer favours the locally-owned artisan shop tradition, these stores now risk eviction.
In recent years, much of the real estate in the centre has been bought by various large corporations who have started to raise rents. They have become so high, in fact, only other large companies are capable of paying. The smaller, independently owned shops that have long been part of the Florentine economy are now under threat of being replaced by bigger, brand-name and chain stores.
Local government and industry associations have now responded to the call for help from shop owners and are trying to update antiquated laws that do not protect small businesses. One proposed solution would be to create a mark (like the DOC used for wines) that would organise the historic shops into a clearly protected group.
In a recent survey 86% of Florentines declared they would be opposed to a large clothing store taking the place of such institutions as Gilli in Piazza della Repubblica and Rivoire in Piazza della Signoria.
