A dispute has emerged involving Nuno Gonçalves, manager of Ginjinha Sem Rival, and the building’s current owner, German businessman Axel Gassnann. Gassnann, who operates a hotel in the same building, has ended the lease of the century-old store located on Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, near the Rossio Square.
The conflict is being mediated by the Lisbon City Council through Diogo Moura, councillor responsible for the “Lojas com História” program. He admitted that the most likely outcome is a legal battle.
Amid this problem, hundreds of tourists visit Ginjinha Sem Rival daily to taste the traditional cherry liquor, keeping Abílio Coelho, who has been serving customers at the counter for over 50 years, extremely busy.
With a more somber demeanor, the business’s manager, Nuno Coelho, great-grandson of the founder, regretted the landlord’s unwavering stance in allowing the business to remain under current management.
“The landlord’s position is entirely irreversible. It’s been over a month since he showed any willingness to dialogue with us or the Lisbon City Council, because he believes he has the right to keep the shop. We disagree, and therefore, the courts will decide,” he stated.
Nuno Gonçalves also mentioned that he received an “insignificant” offer from Axel Gassman to purchase Ginjinha, describing it as “unacceptable”.
“My family found it not only unacceptable but also offensive since the gentleman offered 250,000 euros for this 135-year-old business,” he emphasized.
Despite being ordered to close the store next Monday, the manager of Ginjinha Sem Rival assured that it will remain open until a court decides otherwise.
“We’ll maintain our normal work rhythm, and it’s very likely the landlord will file an eviction lawsuit, which we will contest in court because we believe we are protected as a ‘Loja com História’ until the end of 2027,” he argued.
Established in 1890, Ginjinha Sem Rival is one of 162 stores recognized by the Lisbon City Council under the Lojas com História program, designed to protect the city’s iconic establishments.
The current legislation guarantees contract protection until the end of 2027, as understood by both the management of Ginjinha Sem Rival and the Lisbon City Council, according to Diogo Moura, the councillor overseeing Lojas com História.
“The City Council is monitoring this process and has an understanding of the recognition awarded to these stores. The law defines that there is legal protection of these contracts until December 2027, which is also the tenant’s understanding,” he observed.
Acknowledging the limits of his intervention in a private dispute, the councillor assured he is doing everything legally possible to prevent the closure of Ginjinha Sem Rival and is willing to provide legal intervention if the dispute reaches the courts.
At the same time, Diogo Moura mentioned that the Lisbon City Council is finalizing a proposal to revise the Lojas com História regulation to allow for more establishments of this type, with the collaboration of 14 municipalities.
The councillor also advocated for a legal amendment by the Government to “clarify the rights of new lease contracts and strengthen the protection of businesses that, apart from historical value, demonstrate economic viability and cultural relevance.”
In contrast, a spokesperson for Europe Hotels International (EHI), owner of the Ginjinha Sem Rival building, expressed hope that the space would be vacated on Monday and indicated readiness for a compromise.
“EHI remains open to a resolution, reiterating that a ‘very advantageous’ financial offer has been made to the Ginjinha Sem Rival management, which would allow the shop to be relocated, maintain production, and even expand beverage distribution in the hotel itself. The company believes the solution lies with the tenants, appealing for ‘common sense’ to avoid legal proceedings.
The same spokesperson assured that the goal is to maintain the store with its original character and its sales of ginjinha to the public, while planning interior and exterior refurbishment works.
“Above all, we want to renew the space and enhance its image while fully respecting tradition. We have a vision to maintain Lisbon’s traditions and culture. We don’t want to alter these traditions, hence the decision to keep the store, its concept, and a quality image insertion in the Pombaline Downtown,” emphasized EHI.
The current building owner believes the store’s contract no longer falls under the Lojas com História rules since the management entered a new agreement in 2014 with the former Russian building owner.
The disagreement has mobilized citizens and associations in the capital, such as the Fórum Cidadania LX, which helped establish the Lojas com História program and now lament the potential closure of another century-old business.
“It is truly a sadness to be here now in a store classified under Lojas com História, facing the same problems we had 15 years ago when the store was also threatened, but there was no Lojas com História back then,” said Paulo Ferrero of Fórum Cidadania Lx.
Paulo Ferrero recalled that the creation of Lojas Com Historia was partly due to a popular movement to protect Ginjinha Sem Rival.
For the activist, the risk of closure for this and other centenary stores in Lisbon is rooted in the lack of a structured commercial urbanism policy, criticizing city council decisions which do not always protect the capital’s heritage.
Despite the expiry of the contract, Ginjinha Sem Rival promises to stay open, serving its traditional liquor to locals and tourists alike.
Meanwhile, a solidarity action is planned for July 5, at 8:00 PM, at the store’s entrance, open to the entire community.
