Barcelona City Council rewards small shops
This Wednesday, 2 November, the Auditori de Barcelona hosted the19th edition of the Barcelona Commerce Awards, which recognise the small, local shops with an innovative spirit that make our city even more interesting.
The ten winning initiatives are establishments that are committed to local, sustainable production, reusing packaging, providing neighbourhoods with culture and art, and making the lives of local residents easier by providing functional diversity.They also include recuperated emblematic city shops and retailers’ associations that revitalise and bring social cohesion to several parts of the city.
The awards ceremony was chaired by the Mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, accompanied by the Second Deputy Mayor, Jaume Collboni, and the Councillor for Commerce and Markets, Montserrat Ballarín. Once again, the event provided a meeting point for retailers, sector representatives and the authorities.
If you would like to read the report on the awards ceremony, please click here
AWARD FOR INNOVATIVE COMMERCIAL INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
Located on the Gaudí Hub, in one of the city’s most-visited Modernista routes, B de Barcelona is a different kind of tourist shopping venue. The establishment offers high-quality, original local items that get away from the classic souvenir stereotypes linked to the city.
ALBERT GONZÁLEZ AWARD FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROMOTION AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE CITY’S COMMERCE
Aquest establiment de roba per a la llar situat al cor del barri de Sants és un exemple de professionalitat i supervivència. Amb el llegat d’una nissaga de comerciants, Teixits Pàdua ha resistit tots els anys d’obres i reformes dels seu entorn. L’aposta ha valgut la pena i avui s’ha convertit en un dels punts neuràlgics de tota la zona que embolcalla el mercat de Sants.
AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN COMMERCE
El Safareig is a wholesale shop selling cleaning and personal-hygiene products that are ecological, environmentally-friendly and healthy. It is also an example for waste prevention and awareness-raising among consumers of the importance in reusing packaging.
AWARD FOR SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY IN COMMERCE
This shop selling fresh and prepared produce is really a showcase for the work of ecological and social producers.
Cal Romesco aims to break down the stigma suffered by people with mental disorders. They do so by offering them employment opportunities while giving Sant Andreu's local residents a chance to consume local produce.
AWARD FOR LOCAL CULTURAL COMMERCE
Personal Book, located in Nou Barris, is a bookshop that has all the books you can’t find anywhere else and a clear vocation for extending the world of books beyond commerce. It is a place for searching for opportunities, where books are given a second lease of life. Above all, it's a social place with roots in the neighbourhood, which has become a cultural meeting point.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR PROFESSIONAL CAREER
The award went toEleuterio Galinsoga, the former Chair of the Sants Market Trader's Association. It recognises his professional career and contributions to and promotion of all aspects of the municipal market.
AWARD FOR COLLABORATIVE COMMERCE
Over the last five years, Barcelona's Fort Pienc Hub Retailers Association has managed to integrate its commercial network into the neighbourhood and create an open, dynamic and inclusive network made up of local residents, performing-arts groups and small retailers.
AWARD FOR COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Packed with vintage aesthetics, this establishment, located on the site of the former Born Mint, displays unique, second-hand artistic items. Several international magazines have highlighted the shop's originality, which has recuperated and recycled all of its furniture and has its own record collection. Loisaida has therefore become a must-see for buyers looking for something different.
SPECIAL MENTION FOR COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS
Casa Perris is an authentic establishment that is full of history, located in the Born neighbourhood of Barcelona. It stands out because of the aromas, textures and colours of the products our grandparents used to buy: rice, legumes, dried fruit and nuts and spices. The shop works diligently to ensure the traceability of all its products through recycled packaging.
AWARD FOR BEST COLLECTIVE INITIATIVE
This traders association is responsible for revitalising the area around Sants Market, together with the commercial hub. Thanks to its work, strong neighbourhood traditions have been recovered and children can now enjoy a full programme of activities. The association also works to ensure customer loyalty from the market’s regular clients and to attract younger customers.
SPECIAL MENTION FOR BEST INDIVIDUAL INITIATIVE
This stall in the Ninot Market is a real focal point that specialises in cod and salted-fish products. The establishment, which belongs to a dynasty dating back to 1898, combines tradition and modernity and has become a magnet for the market's customers.
Links and related material
Pictures of the 19th edition of the Barcelona Commerce Awards Ceremony
Video of the 19th edition of the Barcelona Commerce Awards Ceremony
List of winers of the 18th edition of the Awards
List of winers of the 17th edition of the Awards
List of winers of the 16th edition of the Awards