One month ago, the Papelerías Farah chain disappeared from Merida’s commerce, allegedly due to the high rental costs of its locations and the strong competition in school materials in almost all businesses in Mérida. With a presence of 38 years on the city’s main street, Papelerías Farah was a reference point for selling school supplies and over the years diversified into other areas such as office supplies, party supplies, craft supplies, gift wrapping paper, and more.
It was common to see its locations crowded with customers before each school semester began.
The Yucatecan company also provided materials in various states across the country and had well-known brands that guaranteed quality and durability in the products they sold.
What happened to Papelerías Farah in Mérida?
All four of its stores in Mérida are now closed, including the one on Calle 65 between 58 and 60, which is currently being renovated, but will be occupied by a shoe store. The store on Calle 58 between 65 and 67 in the city center has been replaced by a new Chinese business.
The large Farah stores located along the Periférico Oriente and Poniente rings also closed several months ago, despite being relatively new and occupying large buildings with extensive product offerings.
According to its information still available on the internet, Papelería Farah reported that it was engaged in retail commerce, had between 51 and 200 employees, and was a private investment founded in 1986. It specialized in stationery, office supplies, school supplies, and a variety of accessories from the educational and office sectors.
“If you’re looking for a reliable provider of school and office supplies in Mérida, Yucatán, don’t hesitate to contact Papelería Farah S. de R.L. With its wide range of products, quality, and excellent customer service, this company is the ideal choice for any need in the educational or business sector,” reads the company before its commercial extinction.
However, on its Facebook and Instagram pages, which are now closed, there were complaints about poor customer service, billing errors, delivery failures, and lack of quick guidance over the phone or online.
“It’s been three months since they closed,” said a street vendor who sets up his stand daily near the location where Papelerías Farah used to operate on Calle 58 between 65 and 67.
Carpenters renovating the interior of the building where one of the stores was located (on Calle 65) said they did not know how long ago this business had closed but hinted that a shoe store will take over the location.
In downtown Merida, only one business with the Farah surname remains: Almacenes Farah, owned by another family, although they are related to the owners of the papelería. “They broke because the rent of the premises is very high,” commented an old worker at this store, located on Calle 65 between 56 and 54 in front of the piñata kiosks. “They’re relatives, but this store is owned by someone else, not the same people as the papeleria business.”
She mentioned that the locations were rented, but did not generate good sales throughout the year, as their best time was when kids returned to school. However, there are now more papeleria businesses.
Other famous Yucatecan papelerias and bookstores in their heyday that are no longer on the market include “La Literaria,” “Teyde,” “ABC,” “Pluma y Lápiz,” and “Burrel.”
