The Everyday People of La Antigua

On a walk around La Antigua – in one of the busiest areas, or perhaps behind a small door in a side street, far away from the city center – you may encounter any one of several people who are an integral part of the city’s daily life. Qué Pasa presents some of these interesting people who preserve the customs and traditions of yesteryear and who were pioneers in trades that we hope never disappear. They are people of whom all Antigüeños can be proud.

Andrés Barillas

For 18 years now, Andrés Barillas has been making tunics (per the different requirements of each church) for cucuruchos of all ages and sizes who want to participate in Lent and Holy Week. Túnicas y más (his business) is on 2a Calle Poniente, almost at Calzada Santa Lucía.

Gerardo Galdámez Coronado

Gerardo Galdámez Coronado – a true Panza Verde – is someone whom you’ve probably seen during your visits to the Calle del Arco. Twenty years ago, he decided to follow his passion for drawing, and during all that time he has used his talent to create beautiful postcards of La Antigua.

Zoila Urízar

Zoila Urízar, known by most as “La Canche”, opened the doors of her store 61 years ago, welcoming all those in search of a sandwich for snack time, a traditional sweet, or a plate of good food. Honored and distinguished, “La Canche” is loved by all.

Julio César Santiz

Julio César Santiz learned how to repair shoes from his father – José Arturo Santiz. His father was a cobbler for almost 70 years. It’s not easy to locate the small workshop where Julio plies his trade (and where his father worked for most of his life), but you can find it at 2a Calle Poniente #20.

Rolando Ruíz

Rolando Ruíz has worked for 15 years at the shoe store started 50 years ago by his father, Don Antonio Ortiz. Many of those who live near his shop – which is at 3a Calle Poniente #14A – have, at one time or another during their lives, owned shoes that were handmade thanks to the talent of the Ortizes.

Augusto Guarán López

Augusto Guarán López has been a barber for 45 years and has inspired four of his children and a grandson to follow the same trade. His barbershop – Barbería Willy – is where, by tradition, the young and old come to have their hair cut.

Felipe de Jesús Grave

For the past 34 years, Don Lipe’s butcher shop has been located one block from Parque Central – just opposite the main entrance of the Cooperación Española. Felipe de Jesús Grave – better known as Don Lipe – is a unique figure with 50 years’ experience selling meat. He never misses an opportunity to talk and joke with those who stop by his butcher shop to say hello.

Juan José García

Juan José García is a passionate fan of Guatemalan football (soccer) – although he’s sometimes a bit disappointed with the results. Besides being passionate about the sport, he’s also passionate about his work and tries to do it perfectly. For more than 20 years, he’s been shining shoes at the famous “Portal de las Panaderas,” on the west side of the square facing Parque Central. His smile is frank, and his shoeshine prices are fair.