Shops board up windows but stay open during general strike

Some businesses in central Barcelona boarded up their shop windows with wooden panels, anticipating possible incidents during Wednesday's general strike. 

Despite the extra protection, most decided to open their doors, lowering their shutters only when pickets arrive and raising them again afterward.

The artisan stalls on Portal de l'Àngel, a pedestrian shopping street in the city center, stayed closed over fears that picketers might damage their goods.

On Rambla Catalunya, most restaurants are open, though some opted not to set up their outdoor terraces, and those that were operating were nearly empty. Few people were shopping in the stores that kept their regular hours.

Employees at a large retail store told Catalan News Agency (ACN) that the company installed the wooden panels on Tuesday night "as a precaution" and expects a day with fewer customers. They said they will work their usual hours.

Few people were shopping on the streets, partly because some chose to take part in the strike. Joana Domènech, who carried a bag with water and food, said she intends to keep her consumption to a minimum all day. 

"I won't even be running the washing machine or the dishwasher today, to reduce energy consumption," she said. Bàrbara Codilla and Mar Expósito went out for a stroll "without consuming absolutely anything" and plan to attend a demonstration later.

Not everyone joined in. Capi Corrales, who is visiting Barcelona for a few days, bought some things. "I think everyone chooses how to carry out their own strike, and if they decide not to sell, well, then I don't buy," he said. 

Girona 

It is a similar story in Girona's city center. Mercè Ramírez de Cartagena, president of the Girona Centre Commercial Hub, the city center merchants' association, said some establishments closed in support of the protest, but most stayed open. 

"We are small, self-employed business owners, and being closed for a day ends up hurting us a great deal," she said.

Ramírez de Cartagena said some of the shops that stayed open lowered their shutters whenever a picket or demonstration passed by. She also reported acts of sabotage against several establishments, whose locks were found filled with silicone.

The morning left a contrasting scene, with some shops closed and hanging posters outside in support of the strike, while others opened their doors.

"Sometimes there are moments when there is more tension in the streets, so the blind is closed and then it is opened again and work continues as normal," Cartagena said. 

She warned that the day will have economic consequences for the sector, with few customers on the streets. "We consider the day lost in terms of sales," she said.