Egil is the third generation in the building

Egil Falke works in the same premises where his mother and grandmother once worked. Roots are meaningful, the returnee says.

 

(Article from HelgaGotland.se MARCH 7, 2020 19:09)

The Franchells shop on the corner of S:t Hansgatan/Bremergränd by S:t Hansskolan is family history in its purest form. Egil Falke ran around these premises even as a child.

“My first memory from this space is my grandmother sitting and throwing pottery in the room where my office is today. I remember the scent of the poplars outside by S:t Hansskolan,” says Egil Falke.

His grandmother and grandfather owned the property in the 1960s.

“They had intended to build and sell apartments in the building, but then they discovered old 17th-century ceiling paintings, done by the artist Johan Målare. That put a stop to the plans, and my grandfather went bankrupt. He had to sell the building for a pittance, and it was the Stockholm Master Builders' Association that bought it. The association is a good landlord, but I have been in touch with them periodically over the years, saying that I am interested in buying back the building if they ever want to sell,” says Egil Falke.

The building has a special place in the family's history.

“My grandmother, whose name was Thea Franchell and who was a ceramicist, passed away almost 17 years ago, and that was when my mother took over the shop. She, in turn, sold knitted sweaters and other handicrafts. Back then, the shop was called Thea Form, and today it’s called Franchells, so in a way, my grandmother has followed the shop’s development,” says Egil Falke, who is now the third generation in the same space.

 

 

Egil ended up in Gothenburg and worked in banking for many years. For those who look back on their lives, the twists and turns of a career can feel guided by coincidence.

“I have worked with many different things over the years, and when my wife and I decided to move to Gotland, I began working remotely for a small international trading house,” says Egil Falke.

The company specializes in the paper trade, and over time, Egil has learned all the secrets of the profession.

“Today, I sit and trade in raw materials. We buy paper primarily in Europe and North America and ship it to places like Asia and the Middle East. If a customer in Pakistan, for example, buys ten containers of cardboard, it requires certain specialized knowledge to know how to ship it there in the best way, and not least to ensure that you get paid for the goods,” says Egil Falke.

The job involves him sitting in front of a computer with his phone ready. It can be managed from almost any location, which suits him well when choosing to settle on an island in the Baltic Sea.

 

 

“The children go to S:t Hansskolan right here, and they come by and visit the office daily. Who knows, maybe one of them will be the fourth generation in the shop.”

Today, the shop sells more exclusive interior design details and design objects. Since the shop is not Egil’s primary occupation, he didn’t have a specific focus when he started it, but has simply chosen to purchase and sell things that he personally likes.

“The things you find here, you won’t find elsewhere on the island, or even in the country. I understand it’s not for everyone, but it’s a lot of fun when customers like the slightly quirkier things I sell.”

The shop is open when Egil is present at the office; after all, sales aren't the main purpose.

“It’s a nice break for me when customers come into the shop; it gives me a bit of company at work. It’s not just about selling things—half the point is that it often leads to unexpected encounters and conversations, which is very rewarding.”