After 42 years, Pedrinho do Baú decides to end the sale of raffle tickets in the city of Brusque, Santa Catarina.

Pedro Paulo Reitz, known as Pedrinho do Baú, decided to end his career and retire at the end of July. A well-known figure among the residents of Brusque, Pedrinho has worked for over four decades selling raffle tickets. He is proud to have sold more than 200 tickets that resulted in prizes for his customers.

At 81 years old, the vendor recounts that the small room, located in Barão de Schneeburg Square, in the center of Brusque (SC), housed the worker for 42 years. On the walls were numerous photos of the prize winners, which were removed after Pedrinho's decision.

When informing his family about the closure of his business, scheduled for July 31st, he says that many asked him to continue in the field. However, Pedrinho stated that "the decision is final." Now he intends to rest and enjoy life.

Worker

The resident of the Souza Cruz neighborhood states that he started working in childhood. At age 9, he began selling coconut sweets. At age 11, he got a new job taking care of a cow, bathing it, feeding it, and taking it for walks.

Regarding his early entry into the job market, Pedrinho explains that at the time it was common for children to start working early, in addition to complying with his father's request.

Later, at age 13, he began working at the Intelba textile factory, where he stayed until he was 18. After that, he started working as a waiter at the former Café Pigalli and, subsequently, as a truck driver's assistant.

Later, around 1979, he started selling raffle tickets. The seller says he began with the "Baú da Felicidade" (Chest of Happiness), which gave rise to his affectionate nickname. In addition, he worked with several other raffle tickets such as "Show de Prêmio" (Prize Show), "Bola de Ouro" (Golden Ball), and most recently, "Trimania," which he has been selling for 14 years.

Since he started in the raffle ticket sales business, Pedrinho has always had the support of his family. "They even tried to change my mind, but it's no use anymore. I've reached the end of my work, but not of my life, because I intend to live a long time," he emphasizes.

Family

The worker recounts that in 1944 he and his family, who lived in the Tijipió neighborhood in São João Batista, moved to Brusque. Since then, Pedrinho has watched the city grow and develop.

He says that the stall has always been located in the square and he has seen everything change. “Where the Banco do Brasil is today, there used to be a lagoon. This area was all overgrown, and I watched the city grow,” he recalls.

Married to Ilete Tormena Reitz, 74, he is the father of Patricia Reitz, 52, Michele Nunes, 46, and Andrei Pedro Reitz, 39.

His children are a source of pride for their father, Pedrinho, who speaks fondly of each one. "They are easygoing, we all get along very well, and they are all independent."

old customers

Pedrinho recalls that some customers have been buying raffle tickets from him ever since he started the job. And the treatment is always the same: upon receiving the completed coupon, he wishes the participant good luck.

Three years ago, he recalls serving around 2,7 customers a week. However, with the rise of the internet, apps, and new points of sale, his clientele has decreased, and currently, he serves about 500 people a week.

The vendor is proud to have already sold 64 winning tickets from Trimania alone, in addition to 154 from other lotteries. Prizes of R$100, R$200, and R$300 were won at his stall.

One of the lucky winners was Ademir Vinotti, 74, who in August 2019 won R$ 200. He has been a regular at the betting shop for 30 years and considers himself a friend of Pedrinho. "I'm here every week to buy a new ticket."

Pedrinho takes the opportunity to thank the customers and friends he has made over the last four decades and warns: "life goes on". ( O Município – Eliz Haacke – Brusque – SC)