Lacandona

While Nassia, Dimitra, Niovi and Eleni were still talking about their plans to add some new products to the store, I took my time looking around their tiny deli-cafe.

"Lacandona" is located close to Syntagma, on the pedestrian precinct of Ippitou street.

Although it is a small space, big ideas are hosted here.

Actually, "Lacandona" supports solidarity trade in cooperation with a network of organizations in Greece and other countries.

All products served and sold come straight from small producers and cooperatives. In this way not only prices are kept at a low level but human rights are supported too. "Lacandona" would never sell products made by child labor or industries that violate labor rights and harm the environment.

On the shelves of the store one can find all different types of Greek handmade pasta, pure olives and olive oil, spices from Sri Lanka and Papua Nea Guinea, organic cocoa- chocolate from Bolivia and Paraguay, green tea from China and India, coffee from Tanzania and the Zapatistas community.

The style of "Lacandona" faithfully represents the style and spirit of the owners and the age as well.

In Athens, less is more now days. If, for example, once girls were struggling to buy a Louis Vuitton handbag, now, due to the fear of bag-snatchers, one thinks twice before holding it.

But none of four owning the place is of that kind. In contrast, I have the feeling that they fit better in the new reality. " We all believe in solidarity. People need to help each other. Solutions need to be collective. All together we can achieve more than each one by himself" says Eleni.

She and Nassia were met a few years ago while working in an non profit organization promoting solidarity trade.

" Even in the thought that "Lacandona" is almost two years old I feel happy. I see so many stores closed or closing and it breaks my heart" tells me Nassia. " It is so difficult for us too but at least we are still open".

"There are people coming just to support us. They even tell us that they'd like to buy more than a cup of coffee but can't afford it."

" I believe that financial crisis is not a punishment but a good lesson for all of us. We've got to think more carefully of what we vote for. I'm afraid that the worse is yet to come but after that it's going to get better. At least I hope so".

"The idea about opening a place like "Lacandona" came long before recession" explains to me Dimitra.

"I was totally aware of the situation when I decided to take the risk but I think that in hard times, resistance is the only way. Economic recession can't stop us from living, dreaming and fighting for our goals"!

During the first three months of 2012 , 10.315 businesses closed in Greece while only 8.361 opened. The size of the damage caused by recession in the Greek market is even more visible in comparison to the years before. In 2009 , 53.819 businesses closed and 61.345 opened.