A centenarian woman in Italy named Anna Possi operates a coffee shop, working 12 hours a day, day in and day out, for decades. She says she never takes a day off, even during important holidays like Christmas, and believes that having others around is the key to her longevity.
According to a report by The Guardian, Anna, born on November 16, 1924, just turned 100 years old last month. She runs a coffee shop called “Bar Centrale” in the small town of Nebbiuno in northern Italy, where she resides on the upper floor.
Each day, Anna opens the shop at 7 a.m. and usually closes at 7 p.m. Regardless of New Year’s, Christmas, Easter, or Sundays, she remains open without taking a break. This work ethic developed since she and her husband opened the shop together on May 1, 1958. Initially selling only coffee, they later expanded to serving alcoholic beverages in 1971.
Anna revealed that the jukebox in her shop attracts many customers. She mentioned, “Customers come here to socialize and dance. We also have a modern table football game for entertainment.”
With changing times, Anna has replaced the jukebox with an open bookshelf in her shop, allowing customers to exchange books and indulge in reading. After her husband’s passing in 1974, she focused on raising her two children and managing the coffee shop, as her daughter Cristina shared that Anna prioritized them and work over personal relationships.
Despite running a vintage coffee shop, Anna keeps up with technology, as she now has a computer in the shop to read news and engage in stock trading research. She expressed, “I read all kinds of content. I still want to learn and have a better understanding of things.”
Most of Anna’s regular customers are elderly locals who sometimes visit just to chat with her without making purchases. However, after celebrating her 100th birthday last month, she gained many new customers, some of whom come to see her in disbelief that she is still working. Anna commented, “When they leave, they are happy and energized — I don’t know what I convey to them.”
Anna believes that companionship is the key to her longevity, stating, “I don’t want to be depressed. I want to live, I want to be with people.” She currently has no plans to retire and will continue working as long as her health permits. She also recommends young people to pursue careers they enjoy.
According to the Italian National Institute of Statistics, by the end of 2023, Italy had 22,552 centenarians, with a majority being female. The oldest living woman in Italy currently is 114-year-old Claudia Baccarini.