Historic Mercería Tarragona in Gràcia to Close After More Than a Century

The iconic shop on Santa Eugènia street will shut down in June following the retirement of its owners.

Generic image of an old haberdashery storefront with threads and buttons.
IA

Generic image of an old haberdashery storefront with threads and buttons.

The Mercería Tarragona, a landmark of local commerce in Barcelona since 1917, will officially close its doors this June in the Gràcia neighborhood.

Founded by Francisco Tarragona near the Mercat de la Llibertat, the shop has been a staple of the community for 107 years. The decision to close comes as current owner Vivian Cartes reaches retirement, marking the end of a business that has been passed down through generations of the same family.

"The business has evolved because you can't live by selling only threads and zippers. Customers come for tradition."

Vivian Cartes · Business owner
The closure follows a worrying trend for traditional shops in Barcelona. Other historic businesses like Calçats Conesa and Ferretería Camps have recently closed due to rising rents and online competition. The building, which is family-owned, is expected to be put up for sale after the final closure.