ZEYNEP PEHLİVAN

İzmir- The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has caused many serious problems in the economy of Turkey since March of 2020. The economic crisis affects many areas but particularly cafes, bars, or restaurants. Various restrictions and curfews imposed in Turkey for about a year have turned everything into luxury for people except their basic needs. Ayşe Sivrikaya is the owner of a café called “Cafe Souvarine” located in the Alsancak quarter of İzmir. She says if the lockdown continues, she will have no other option but close her café’s shutters.

“We didn’t think this would happen again”

Ayşe was born and grew up in İzmir and she is now 31 years old. She didn’t have any work experience until she went to university. After graduating from university, she worked for a cleaning company, and then she decided to open a tea shop. But after a while, she realized that she actually wanted to work in a place including books. And now she faces difficulties due to the pandemic outbreak.

“Of course, it was not possible for us to know what would happen while opening this place. For instance, we didn’t expect the second wave when we first closed our shops.  We didn’t think the lockdown measures would be imposed again. For this reason, we had hope. We did not receive any special government support or apply for loans from banks. My husband has received a certain amount of money due to the pandemic but this amount is just enough for your house rent. We have to pay rent of our shop and our bills.”

“Even used books have become a luxury for people”

Ayşe said they knew how many people went out before the pandemic outbreak but as of the first of June, 2020, the number of people going out decreases.

“Everything was expected to normalize after the first lockdown measures, but the number of people didn’t decrease. Actually, where our tea shop located is always a very crowded place. We see how this place turned into a ghost place. Books and cafés have become a luxury for people. People cannot spend their money on even a book and a cup of coffee. We had an advantage during the first lockdown measures imposed in Turkey. We sold used books. But people couldn’t buy the used books even if they are cheaper.

“I have hope in the women's struggle”

Ayşe summarized the situation of shopkeepers by saying, “We have enough money in our pocket to spend today or tomorrow, just like many people.” She believes that hope lies in women's solidarity, despite all the difficulties that shopkeepers face during the pandemic.

“If I close my shop and want to get another job, I will face growing unemployment. I don’t think I will get another job. As a female shopkeeper, I try to do my best. While it is difficult to do something as a woman even under normal conditions, it is extra difficult under pandemic conditions. Even if I don’t have any hope for the future, I believe in women’s solidarity.”