Historical establishments in Barcelona lower the blind due to the lack of relief and the rental price
Local commerce is part of the idiosyncrasy of many neighborhoods in Barcelona. The Department of Commerce of the City Council defends that its model is an economic motor and an essential instrument to improve social cohesion, coexistence and the quality of the public space of the city. It seems that it is pretended to bet again on the values of proximity, responsibility and sustainabilitybut the reality is somewhat harsher.
There are several shops and establishments in the city that have lowered the blinds in recent months, many taking advantage of the turn of the year. The commercial and service fabric has not recovered from the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences, since the effects of the ukrainian war and the escalation of prices have continued to cause difficulties.
But beyond this, the lack of generational relief is one of the handicaps for many of the shops from Barcelona. Trades that are always lost, new generations with other preferences and more job options are some of the reasons why businesses are less and less passed from father to son.
It is evident that the rent problem It not only affects individuals, but also businesses in the city, especially in certain gentrified neighborhoods and with the price per square meter rising. The smaller establishments, which have always had a tight profit margin, are struggling to remain open, also due to the increase in costs and the price of supplies.
Many have not succeeded, so we repair some of the establishments that have closed in recent months in the city of Barcelona.
Gomara drugstore
Regarded as the oldest drugstore in barcelonaGomarra closed in May 2022. The reason was the rental price that he could not afford after a new increase.
This place in the Raval neighborhood, located next to the Rambla, was run by the sons of the previous owner of the business. It is an establishment of interest Catalog of emblematic establishments of the Barcelona City Council, which closed under the name of Elías Decoració.
Musical world
The legendary Music World record store closed in mid-2022 after more than 30 years of activity. In this case, the reason was that the owner of the premises decided not to renew the lease.
Both managers took the opportunity to retire, but they wanted to keep the store remembered with a playlist on Spotify call Rock legends, which has about 500 themes. The store was found in Rosselló street, and it was the last of the five that Music World had had in Barcelona.
Bar El Tropezon
The El Tropezón bar also lowered the blind of the premises on Calle Regomir number 26, last October 2022. It is a very traditional bar from the neighborhood, appreciated by many for its tapas, especially for the patatas bravas.
In this case, those responsible they have opened another business near the premises, also in the Gòtic neighborhood, called The Trope. There we will find the same bravas, or at least a similar version: according to some clients said in TotBarcelonathe price of the ration has gone up while the amount of potatoes has gone down.
Bopan
The emblematic Bopan bakery on Rambla Catalunya 119 had also closed in October 2022, after “more than 30 years doing the neighborhood.” In fact, there have been close to 40. The business initially opened in 1984 announced on Twitter that had not reached an agreement with the owner and they were forced to close “against” their will.
“Almost 40 years have passed giving life to this corner of the Eixample, creating a neighborhood and adding value to the city of Barcelona,” they detailed on Twitter. The establishment took the opportunity to thank its customers for their loyalty and remember that it had three other stores in the city.
Forn Giraut
We keep talking about bakeries in Barcelona that have closed the blind, because the Forn Giraut did so at the end of the year. But he did it for a different reason. On this occasion, the third generation of this 140-year-old establishment I can’t find generational change.
The person in charge of the oven, Maria Rosa, lamented in TotBarcelona the tendency of many premises forced to close for various reasons. In this case, said the rise in rental pricesas well as supplies.
Jofama Bar
The Jofama bar closed forever at the beginning of December 2022. Located in Dreta de l’Eixample, on the Diagonal-Girona corner, it had been run by the same family since 1958.
As detailed by Eugeni Madueño on Twitter, the owner Carlos had resisted for years the pressures of a vulture fund. Finally, the fund bought the entire building to convert it into tourist apartments, according to the user. The letter from the owner of the bar, written in a marker on the facade of the establishment, moved the customers and also the general public when it was shared on social networks.
Accomplices Bookstore
Taking advantage of the change of year, the blind was also lowered Accomplices Bookstorewhat was the First specialized in LGTBI issues in Barcelona. After nearly 29 years, Connie Dagas and Helle Bruun closed after receiving the May 17 Award from the Barcelona Observatory Against Homophobia.
“The time has come to make way for the other LGTBQI+ bookstores. We are very proud to have shared this project with you,” they announced on their networks. In that case, the retirement of one of the two owners could be the reason for the closure.
Calçats Palou
In recent days it has also announced that it is closing another historic business in Barcelona. This is Calçats Palou, a business on Hospital del Raval street and with more than 80 years of history, which announced last week that it was lowering the blind. After three generations, it will close for good at the end of the month, not for lack of generational replacement or the problem of contracts.
As indicated to TotBarcelona the owner of the business, Lluís Nicolau Palou, the reason is due to the loss of clients, since the old people and the families of always of the neighborhood have left. In statements to the same medium, he criticizes that “the Raval has become the sewer of Barcelona” and points to the city council, citing robberies and murders. The owner defends that the consistory has made life impossible for them.