In Portraits: An Older Era Guarded By Reykjavik's Local Shop Owners

As Reykjavik undergoes rapid change, a local photographer, Helga Nina Aas, captures the uniqueness of Reykjavik’s shopkeepers. Aas was prompted to begin the series of portraits during the summer of 2015 when she became shocked by the incoming chain stores overtaking the local shop owners in the popular shopping area of downtown.

Jón Sæmundur of DEAD Gallery/Studio at Laugavegur 29

“I knew at that moment,” she recalled, “that I had to photograph our shopkeepers before they disappeared and my city as I knew it was no more and had no more distinction than any other city that allows commercial chains to smother the city’s individuality.”

Eggert Jóhannsson, Eggert Feldskeri, Skólavorðustíg 50

Jörmundur Ingi Hansen, Fatamarkaður Jörmundur, Laugavegur 25 in cellar

Dóra Jónsdóttir, Gullkistan, Frakkastíg 10

While Reykjavik is certainly not the only city facing similar issues and changes, it is especially poignant in such a small town. These photographs were taken between September 2015 and September 2016. During this time, 28% of the shopkeepers had to close shop and another 20% on the verge of closing due to the high rental costs and the ability of chain stores to offer more for less. A better-monitored regulation framework for the number of particular types of stores would be of benefit in this case, and in similar cases in many other cities.

Helga and Orrí, Orri Finn Jewelry, Skólavorðustíg 17a

Fabio Del Percio, Hver Design, Bergstaðastraeti 10a

Jóhanna Harðardóttir, Texilline, was on Laugavegur 101

Helgi Sigurðsson, Úrsmiður Helgi Sigurðsson, was on Skólavorðustíg 3

“Our downtown that has always had funky homegrown stores, designers, little bookstores, jewelry shops, [and] coffee shops; you knew the faces that you would meet, you knew them by name and they knew your face and you had been coming there for years for their service, their advice, and kindness,” Aas said.

Marta Kjartansdóttir, Reykjavik Ink, Frakkastígur

Valdi, Geisladiskabúð Valda, Laugaveg 64-entered at Vitastígur

Einar Áugst Guðjónsson, Fornbókabuðin, Klappastíg 25

Terry Davos, Skyrta, was on Laugavegur 69

The photographic series, prompted out of a pending sense of loss, asks many relevant questions about cultural preservation, sustainable tourism, and the future of small businesses.

Einar Arnarsson, Hókus Pókus, Laugavegur 69

Ann Kristín Magnúsdóttir, Kjólar og Konfekt, Laugavegur 92

Jónas R. Jónsson, Fiðluviðgerðir Jónas R. Jónsson, Skólavorðustíg 16 entered through Oðinsgata

Mohammed Zahauri, Tailor, was on Laugavegur 82

Sigriður Sigurjónsdóttir, Spark Design Space, was on Klapparstíg 33

Sigriður Gunnarsdóttir, Bókabúðin Sjónarlind, Skólavorðustíg 7

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