Who We Are
Mercantic is a unique cultural and commercial space in Spain
El Mercantic
Mercantic is a unique cultural and commercial space in Spain, located in the former Barnils ceramics factory in Sant Cugat del Vallès, 15 minutes from Barcelona. Within its more than 15,000 m², a hundred merchants, antique dealers, artisans, creators, and restorers coexist alongside various restaurants, a bookstore with more than 150,000 volumes, a concert hall, and event spaces.
More than a market, Mercantic is a meeting place: a living ecosystem where design, antiques, gastronomy, and culture come together every day. A destination where every visit is a different experience, because the objects change, the offerings evolve, and there is always something new to discover among what already existed.
History
It all began in 1956, when Josep Barnils founded Ceràmica Barnils, a Catalan terracotta tile factory in Sant Cugat del Vallès. When the factory became obsolete, his son Octavi wanted to give new life to the warehouses and courtyards that made it up. Passionate about antiques and objects with history, and inspired by the antique markets of French Provence, he created the Mercantic concept in 1992: a permanent, open, and accessible antiques market that broke away from the traditional, elitist antique dealer model to appeal to the general public.
In 2014, a fire affected part of the El Siglo bookstore's stock, although no one was injured. The space was restored and continued to grow. In 2022, the family's third generation, led by Pep Barnils, took over with a renewed vision: to keep the essence of Mercantic alive while projecting it towards new generations, blending the old with the contemporary, the artisanal with the modern.
Vision and value
Mercantic believes in objects with a history. In the authenticity of things made with dedication, in the value of the passage of time and in the ability of the antique to find its place in today's world. That is why its approach is not only commercial, but also cultural and human: to showcase the people behind every piece, every craft and every project.
Five values define this spirit:
Celebrating origins — every object has a soul. Authenticity, the past and the emotional value of things made with dedication are celebrated.
Reinterpreting novelty — here, the latest trends coexist with restored pieces, the industrial with the artisanal, the local with the global.
A point of reference in interior design — a meeting place where collaborations, ideas and personalized solutions for professionals and private clients flourish.
Closeness and diversity — an open and welcoming community, rich in styles, backgrounds and proposals.
Constant rediscovery — every visit is a different experience. You never know what you will find.
Press
Mercantic has been featured in national and international media, from interior design and design magazines to cultural supplements and travel guides. Coverage that reflects what the venue represents: a unique place, with its own identity, unlike any other.
