Shortly after the pandemic restrictions were left behind, those responsible for the historic Mil hat shop in Barcelona shared on these pages that they were very worried because the lease contract for their premises on Fontanella Street was nearing its end and, on top of that, dark clouds were looming everywhere. The fourth and fifth generations of these hatters were not sure their business could survive. On both sides, 24-hour supermarkets were opening at full speed. The family feared joining the honorable list of emblematic businesses that had disappeared due to the whirlwind of these times.
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Because then many long-standing businesses in the Gothic Quarter succumbed to real estate pressure and had no choice but to close their doors and hand over to a string of souvenir shops, nail care stores, and marijuana-related items willing to pay the rents demanded. Do you remember the La Estrella pharmacy on Ferran Street? They asked for nearly 10,000 euros a month for a space of just over 80 square meters. And what about the last second-hand bookstore in the neighborhood, Stock? Yes, what happened on Comtal Street was a massacre. Suddenly, enormous phalluses with a girl hugging them assaulted you on every corner.
Real estate pressure is one of the main threats to historic shops in downtown Barcelona
But not everything is written. The Mil hat shop celebrated its 170th birthday yesterday, and some customers, many friends… and the landlord! Yes, the owner of the establishment also raised a glass of cava. Who the hell invites their landlord to their birthday? Seriously, who remembers the person who collects the rent every month on this anniversary? Shortly after explaining their troubles to this newspaper, Núria Arnau started talks with Occident, the owner of this building, to renew their lease. Let’s see what could be done besides crossing fingers.
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And as they told yesterday together and as happy as clams, in a few meetings they agreed on a new affordable rent, the renovation of the premises and the rest of the building, the corresponding compensations for having to close for four months of construction… “Yes – admit Arnau and her son Jordi Creus – if they had thought mainly about getting the maximum profit from their premises, we probably wouldn’t be here anymore.” “Let’s see – added Edgar Buch, real estate investment director at Occident, with his glass of cava – we are also a historic company. We don’t move solely by criteria of maximum profitability. There is more to life.” In this way, Arnau and Creus can continue focusing on the tastes of trendsetting artists, keep organizing sewing workshops, and keep making their own models…
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Yes, this story deserves generous space. Unfortunately, someone not giving in to maximum profitability is newsworthy. But it is not necessary to be a devoted Samaritan to act this way. Years ago, the premises of the historic La Estrella pharmacy hosted a marijuana-related items shop. Recently, a very cheap costume jewelry store took over. But not everything is written. Not long ago, the last-minute salvation of the Sant Jordi bookstore showed that market tyrannies are not inevitable. And recently La Vanguardia reported on the agreement between the manager and also owner of the Calpa handbag store and its employees so that the business endures and is not replaced by a souvenir shop. Perhaps one day these stories will stop being news.
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