Local businesses are looking to gain a foothold in Barcelona's franchise scene.

BarcelonaHe local commerce in Barcelona It's becoming the exception to the rule: the proliferation of large chains and overcrowding in tourism are pushing these types of establishments into the margins. Furthermore, high rents in stressed areas make it difficult for private or small-member businesses to operate without financial support. A street-level law firm, a traditional upholstery shop, or a store that focuses on Barcelona design are some of the services that have had to make a name for themselves in the face of the difficulties and costs of opening a physical store in the Catalan capital. Often, this has been done through initiatives designed to boost projects that aim to contribute to diversifying the local economy.

The "We Boost What You Do" grant program run by Barcelona Activa—the Barcelona City Council's economic development agency—is a prime example. It has been trying to address this problem for almost a decade. The latest call, open between June and July, had €2.5 million to promote commercial proposals in the city. This year's edition has had for the first time specific aid to boost businesses in the so-called High Traffic Spaces (EGA), Those where the high number of tourists creates tension and makes coexistence with neighbors difficult. Even so, some of the establishments opened thanks to subsidies from previous calls have managed to establish themselves in these areas, and the ARA has spoken with some of the owners about this.

Rent, the main obstacle

The OMG BCN store is in the heart of the Gòtic neighborhood. It is a concept store which sells clothing and other products from more than 100 Barcelona designers. "Being in a crowded area means a lot of people pass by, and we offer them products that represent the city," explains Estela Portolés, co-owner of the shop. She believes initiatives like hers are "very important" for having unique businesses in these types of neighborhoods and high-pressure areas. "We're committed to bringing local design closer to Barcelona residents and tourists," she comments.

Estela's project was born in El Born more than a decade ago, where she opened the first store of its kind (and with the same name) with her partner, Iu Bartolomé. However, two years ago, thanks to a grant from the Impulsa plan, she was able to establish a second location in the Gòtic district. "It was a very important financial support that made opening the new location viable and allowed us to hire people," Portolés notes. This grant has helped her establish herself in an area surrounded by large franchises, "which, having more resources, end up occupying many locations and causing rents to become increasingly higher," she laments.

Another neighborhood with strained rents is El Raval. This is where Sandra Sarmiento opened the physical store for her online business called Ecometas last October, launched in 2019. It is a sustainable women's underwear store, produced ethically, fairly, and ecologically. The "Impulsem lo que haces" grant has allowed her to maintain financial stability during the first few months of the store. "It was a breath of fresh air; without it I would have surely suffered," he says.

Sarmiento is committed to offering sustainable fashion within the world of fast fashion Currently, despite considering Barcelona to be a "great showcase," he explains that opening the store in Raval has been a "successful decision" because, although it's a tense area, "it favors businesses that want to be authentic." "I think local commerce and ethical production are in tune with this neighborhood, which exudes multiculturalism, coexistence, and respect for others," he concludes.

From new ideas to long-standing businesses

Sustainability is also the core of Cristina Ebang's business, called B.SOS (SOSBAG), which, thanks to a grant, has recently been able to open a store, this time in the Gràcia neighborhood. It reuses safety materials, primarily lifeboats, to make bags, backpacks, and computer cases. "The material we receive comes from sailboats that can save six people, to life rafts from ships that can save 65 people. Since it's designed to save lives, it's very durable and has high technical quality," she explains. She adds that she obtains these materials at the end of their useful life, preventing them from becoming waste.

"We started making clothes and selling online in 2020, just after the lockdown. We have a sewing workshop, but we thought it was necessary to have a physical store so our customers could see the product in person," she says. In this sense, she explains that finding a space has been very difficult and assures that without the municipal subsidy she couldn't open.

Noor Yousfan's case is somewhat different. She and her family—upholsterers with almost three decades of experience—had a physical store that they had to close when their rent was raised by 30%. Two summers ago, aid from Barcelona Activa allowed them to reopen in a new establishment, Tapicería Bcn. This also contributed to recovering a historic trade, threatened by the lack of generational relevance. In Catalonia, it's not taught in any academies, and it's very difficult to find people with the necessary training, she explains.

Upholstery is an ancient trade that consists of repairing or improving all types of furniture or objects that have fabric to extend their useful life, such as sofas, chairs, motorcycle and car seats... "Business is down because it is a craft and because for what it costs to upholster a sofa, there is a sofa. This is a time of consumerism, of throwing away and buying furniture, instead of trying to extend the useful life of those we already have," he laments.

"Normally, businesses like ours aren't on the street," explains Anahí Rihaño of the law and real estate firm Porta Legal Associats. She and her partners opened a physical location in Nou Barris last April to offer legal services thanks to grants from Barcelona Activa. Otherwise, she maintains they should have opted for a smaller, more affordable space, which would likely be an office on an upper floor—as is often the case with these businesses—and wouldn't have the visibility of being on the ground floor. "We wanted to be in an area with a lot of foot traffic," she adds.

"The intention is to stay here because in this neighborhood there's a need for the type of services we offer," explains Rihaño, who previously worked in an office on the first floor, a space shared with other companies. "If you're on the first floor, no one sees you, and your work depends on word of mouth. Now we're visible," she points out. Likewise, she and her partners can offer a comprehensive service, as the firm has lawyers with different specialties, such as criminal law, inheritance law, and immigration law. "There are everyday legal issues for which everyone needs a lawyer sooner or later. I think we're responding to that demand," she concludes.