"This Month My Rent Was Doubled"
Sergio Gallegos Luis, director of Sra. Gallery, the only shop in Spain specialising in art toys and sofubis, revealed during a conference at Barcelona's Saló del Comerç that his commercial rent was doubled this month. Speaking on Wednesday 21st October 2026, he said: "Last Friday, they doubled my rent." Despite the sudden increase, Gallegos affirmed his commitment to continue operating. "Luckily, I can carry on and I have to go for it," he stated, highlighting the growing pressure on small businesses in the city.
Economic Survival of Local Commerce
His testimony underscores a broader challenge facing independent retailers: sustaining a business once the initial idea is launched. Fixed costs, initial investment, and market volatility mean that a strong concept alone is not enough to guarantee survival. Gallegos pointed out that while online platforms like Amazon dominate digital sales, small physical stores still hold value. "I will never be able to compete with Amazon or any of these platforms, but that doesn't mean I have to abandon the entire online side," he explained, noting he has sought professional help to improve his digital presence.
"Bet on projects when they are projects, not when they have been running for ten years,"
He called for earlier institutional support, recalling his participation in Crea Media, a Barcelona Activa programme that provided financial and mentoring support to launch Sra. Gallery. He urged authorities to back ventures at the idea stage, when uncertainty and investment needs are highest.
Support at Transfer Stage Also Vital
Valentina Vaselinova, owner of Librería Petta in the Fort Pienc neighbourhood, took over a bookstore with 22 years of history in February 2026. She stressed that rent levels directly determine whether a project is viable. "The price of rent makes a project viable or not," she said. Her transition was eased by Reempresa, a programme that facilitates business transfers by offering viability studies and administrative assistance. Vaselinova said this support gave her "greater peace of mind" before taking over the shop.
Call for Balanced Aid and Stability
Both entrepreneurs agree that keeping a shop open requires more than passion, it requires financial balance. For Gallegos, the answer is persistence despite hardship. For Vaselinova, it lies in balancing renewal with the identity of an established business. Their experiences illustrate that long-term survival depends not only on customer loyalty and innovation, but also on stable operating costs and timely public support.
Reported by metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, emprenedoria.barcelonactiva.cat, metropoliabierta.cat, beteve.cat, barcelonactiva.cat, empreses.barcelonactiva.cat, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life.
