A shop in the center of Thessaloniki is rented for free for the first 6 months, as stated on the sign on the front of the property! The unprecedented post, indicative of the situation in the neighborhood of Bit Pazar – an area also known as “Monastiraki” of Thessaloniki – where there are many vacant shops, has been for a few days in the window of an empty shop, which operated as an ouzo bar for almost 10 years. The property acquired new owners a few months ago, who decided to make it available for exploitation.

“The rent is lower than it was before and we have decided to make it available for free for six months, in case that acts as a lure. Besides, the area has now “fallen” commercially, while we know that whoever enters the store, because they want renovation, will need at least 2-3 months to fix it up and then operate it as a health facility,” explains Panagiotis to APE-MPE , owner of the property.

He even emphasizes that in the few days that he has posted the sign on the window, there have been various interested parties but no one has proceeded – so far – to rent it. “However, in commercial leases, the two months are a given that no rent is paid,” he adds.

The assessment that the commercial value of the area has fallen significantly, since many antique shops have been operating for decades, is formulated by Theodoros Bagropoulos, who has been a broker in the area for many years.

“Especially on Tositsa Street, where the specific rented shop is located, there are others that have been closed for years. The drop in commercial traffic as well as the projects for the Metro in Egnatia have greatly reduced the value of real estate,” he says characteristically.