local showcase of the first store was in Santiago, Ahumada 38, in the basement of a building and demolished.
The last Friday of last February, closed its doors forever at number 806 of the Empire Gallery, on the side San Antonio Street, the old traditional house of art and religious items "Jeanne d'Arc", a jewel of Chile's trade history. We were there, that sad afternoon at 19:30, when the last customer walked out that door, ending a nearly 140 continuous years. It was a simple farewell, without fanfare or speeches, or anything like funeral ornamentation, perhaps not appropriate to dramatize the moment.
La Casa "Jeanne d'Arc was born in Valparaiso in 1872 with the name of Blas House Ricardi, A. Menares y Cia. , as it checks the old bronze plaque-like crest that was maintained in memory of the history of his own cabinet shop. It also follows that when the ownership of the house was taken by M. Saenger Caper, was renamed as heroin, French martyr and saint of Catholicism, a title he held until his last days. The store also kept a large piece of marble that corresponded to their early days, and in announcing the restaurant's name in black letters: "CASA JEANNE D'ARC" .
"Jeanne d'Arc" their goods directly imported from Europe, mainly "religious articles and objects of fantasy gifts" . If anything it was the most important of his time, at least has reminded one of the main. Had moved his headquarters to a former and now defunct Ahumada space 38 near Moneda where the company celebrated its 75 years of existence, as seen in photographs of their windows and interiors that were also on display in the last place. In one of them a message thanking their customers for that anniversary.
remained almost the 7th year in a central location in the capital between Christs, Virgins and angels, until, after the demolition of old Commercial Union building and the construction of the Gallery of King at State Street 33, the entire store was moved to one of the premises of this passage for another 30 years. By 2000, he moved to what was his last Empire Gallery location. And was commanded by Maria Victoria Saenger, successor of the family dynasty since 1995. An appropriate place to locate this treasure of a French-style city, by the way: near the classic restaurant "La Due Torri" and the Municipal Theatre Square Mekis .
furniture and cabinets inside the former home of Jeanne d'Arc House in Ahumada 38, to mid-twentieth century.
Shop House Jeanne d'Arc on his last day of existence, within the Empire Gallery Santiago Centre.
marble plaque with the name of the store that belonged to their former facilities. Was kept in the last place for the exhibition.
Inside the store, on his last day.
Interior Shop, also in his last hours.
The store declared prestigious national suppliers and Socimer, Sonavela, Decorum, and Chantilly, and foreign and religious imagery of Regalado, Peru; Images Ceramix religious, Italy; Medals and Metal Items Gold Cevallos, of Ecuador; Custodis Chalices and Carlos Molina of Argentina, and Liturgical Coal. Among the items traded artistic and religious figures included from plaster or candles to valuable paintings. It would also provide implementation services and for ceremonies such as baptisms and marriages, as well as custom embroidery. His case was guarded by the beautiful portrait of the Holy warrior martyr, in addition to parts of the history of the store that would have been delight to observe an antique.
However, more or less after the earthquake of 2010, began problems that lead to the "Jeanne d'Arc" to the closure. Declines in sales came from the depression of trade, followed by the purchase of the Empire Gallery by strong investor uncertainty about the future of the process since it was notified of its closure in mid-April. These factors led to the María Victoria to decide on the closure of the historic site.
During the month of February, the store offered their products at discounts of up to 60% by destocking. Many onlookers who knew the place in those days we got to see this site, many really saddened by his impending departure. The windows began to vacate and appeared in packaging boxes, some open and others closed. signs "FOR SALE" were posted on the door to get rid of the windows and furniture, along with news clippings announcing the end of the Jeanne D'Arc House. In fact, offered for sale with franchise and all, but it seems that there were no results.
Thus, the final destination was consummated on Friday, February 25, 2011, when it closed its doors one last time. Still in his last moments of life continued to receive guests. Met to take pictures of this event. "If you do not mind our past clients, no problem," said one of us the sellers when we ask permission to photograph inside the premises. The last of all the pictures went with the door closed, final symbol of the house to say goodbye.
this form was completed that story began in 1872, and now joins the legendary abundant intangible Santiago, the city with less and less of their own history and increasingly employed. And as Joan of Arc itself, this old trading house blew himself up in the flames of progress and the transformation of Chilean society.
The statue of Joan of Arc, who guarded all these years the peace of their windows.
The door just closed one last time and forever.
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