Iconic establishments that make a city

Noucentisme and Modernisme. There is an unmistakeable artistic gloss in the interior and exterior decoration of Camiseria Xancó shirtmakers on La Rambla, one of Barcelona’s emblematic shops, which forms part of the “Iconic Establishments Route” promoted by the City Council. 

Xancó, situated in the Boqueria Market, is one of Barcelona’s iconic establishments and a true symbol of its identity. So original, you won’t ever find it in any other city. It’s an establishment that makes the city. In 1993, Barcelona City Council honoured Xancó with a plaque (on the ground at the entrance) recognising “its years of service to the city”.

The original shirtmaker´s shop dates back to 1820, when it was run by Antoni Cotchet. This was before the Xancó family took over. The shop has practically remained the same since opening on La Rambla, except for a slight interruption in 1985 when the furniture was restored. The proof is in the floors, shelves, doors, glass cabinets – one of which is quite a gem – the structure of the window display, and even an old cash register. Just take a look at the images in this article, borrowed from one of the shop’s photo albums. 

Since then, it has been a mark of genuine craftsmanship when it comes to making shirts. The name is well-known among foreign visitors to the city. Some read about it in travel guides or on the internet, and others, despite living in other European cities, wouldn’t miss the chance to visit the shop when they come to Barcelona. Many customers are from the US, UK, Germany and Australia. In a chapter of her book “Un passeig per la moda de Barcelona” (A Walk through Barcelona´s Fashion - Albertí Editors, 2013), the writer and editor Elisenda Albertí tells the story of Xancó and the four generations behind this unique establishment in the heart of La Rambla.

In a globalised world with globalised products, this shop continues to make shirts for customers with more conservative tastes or for those who want to dress casually but without sacrificing on quality. Xancó has long been true to its tradition, and now many other businesses are following suit by prioritising a “back to basics” philosophy. This means making international large-scale production a thing of the past and focusing on a high quality, local market with artisanal production methods. This is happening when it comes to making handbags and other products. Xancó has made costumes for Barcelona theatre companies like the National Theatre of Catalonia, the Romea and the Zarzuela. 

Another iconic establishment in Barcelona is the fishing shop Casa Calicó, located in the Plaça de les Olles, and currently in the process of moving its operating headquarters to Poblenou. Negotiations with the owner of the building in which the shop has always been located have not led to an agreement for the business to remain. Dani, the current manager, explains that the Born area is highly sought after for its strategic location. The shop in the Plaça de les Olles will remain open until February 2018. The new shop in Poblenou, at Carrer Àvila 94, will open on 20 November. Both shops will be open at the same time for a few months.

Dani says that he really likes working at the shop. Much more than he thought he would at the beginning, he adds. At the new, more spacious premises in Poblenou, he plans to organise small exhibitions on the art of fishing, which, he argues, is currently very under appreciated.

The story of Calicó dates back to 1850 when Josep Borrull opened a shop selling hunting and fishing gear. Now, Dani wants to add marketing tools to his management strategy, particularly communication and social media. It’s the start of a new adventure.