Ten years after the creation of Barcelona's catalog of emblematic shops, which included 209 establishments, the city reports a balance of 191 open premises and 18 closed. This figure is more favorable than five years ago, when closures amounted to 29. However, the reopening of some of these spaces often involves changes in use that distort the original function that made them historic.
The pressure from rental prices, especially in tourist areas, and the lack of generational succession are the main causes of closures. Paradoxically, the influx of tourism, while driving up prices, also allows the survival of some activities that would not have enough local clientele.
Current closures are mainly concentrated in the Ciutat Vella district, where establishments such as Casa Oliveras, El Ingenio, and Forn La Valenciana have closed their doors. In Eixample, Forn Cosialls and Viajes Nautalia stand out; in Gràcia, Vinos Vicente Casas; in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Electricitat Yrurzun; in Sant Andreu, Fleca Girabal; and in Sant Martí, Poblet La Africana.
“"Every time an emblematic shop closes, Barcelona loses a piece of its identity."
The Barcelona City Council is working on expanding the protection catalog, which will allow safeguarding local identity beyond material heritage, under the new Catalan Commerce Law by the end of 2025. This initiative seeks to promote the continuity of businesses and their generational succession, adapting to the new legislation.
The ERC councilor, Jordi Coronas, has pointed out that the initial catalog focused on the physical container, but not on the historical character of the establishments. Therefore, he advocates for a specific catalog for unique shops that preserves their activity and collective memory, even if they do not have prominent heritage elements.
