For the last four or five years, Barcelona’s center aspect and Las Ramblas in particular has noticeably changed. Bit to bit we seem heading to an urbanistic uniformity that brings the big cities to look very similar among them. And, with this transformation not only loose each neighborhood’s identity but the city itself is who loses it.
This is a constant process: historic establishments or at least small family owned shops that close down forever. The reasons are diverse: from economic difficulties to continue to the lack of a generational change-over, or a rental cost increase after new Urban Rental Law approved in January 2015 in Spain, that meant the end of the of old rents for the retail premises.
This way, big cities center are homogeinizing and becoming every day more and more the same. Known clothing brands and fast-food restaurant chains take the testimony of emblematic and historic stores transforming neighborhood’s network to become the umpteenth version of modern cities that repeat once and again.
Evolution or decadence?
It’s difficult to give a true objective opinion of what is happening at Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter in general but very especially at Las Ramblas. A place that has always had its own personality, a unique identity that started with all those family owned historic business that, along several generations not only gave a touch of color to such a special place. Were also premises where lifelong customer’s nice treatment came first beyond the most aggressive marketing campaigns. Really unique shops where each one showed an image that with the time had become iconic. Personal decorations, antique furniture, even other ways to deal with the customers, lead to a uniformity in all senses. Department store’s homogeneity, franchises and the most popular brands.
From the economic point of view, for the city, all these changes may probably be positive. Selling more, despite being the same everywhere, is always beneficial. But we are losing a quality retail stores network in many senses. And this loose, produces at least sadness and nostalgia.
A process that seems to be unstoppable
Just few weeks ago another historic store closed at Las Ramblas. The shirt store Xancó, an irreplaceable shop founded in 1820 whose model is not in line with the current times. Is the last example of an inexorable closing of retail shops that we can see reflected in an article from Metropoli magazine dated on December 2017.
It was an article dedicated to 10 family owned business that still resisted franchise’s beating at Las Ramblas. After very few years, from the 10 quoted stores only 6 are still open. The other four have already shut down or moved to another location. The percentage is worrying, a 40%. But maybe are only the new times of these days.
Corbeto’s still ready for whatever may come
Corbeto’s Boots was one of the 10 stores quoted by Metropoli magazine. And we feel proud for keeping alive the same spirit since our foundation. Our Little shop at Las Ramblas is still being a bastion in a jungle of souvenir stores, franchises and big brands. While “the body endures” we will continue supporting the family owned and historic businesses, proximity stores that pull for the direct treat based on the personalized care of all our customers rewarding us with their loyalty.
Might be that Las Ramblas continue changing and never stop evolving, but what is definitely sure, whatever it may happen, is that Corbeto’s Boots won’t change. We always adapt to the new times. But keeping our philosophy and soul.
Image’ sources: Busquets Galvez, MagradaCatalunya, Corbeto’s Boots
