Mercantic: a getaway among antiques, design and culture
Just half an hour separates the centre of Barcelona from one of those places capable of changing the way we think about design and the objects that surround us. Located in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Mercantic has spent more than three decades proving that objects with a history still have plenty to say. What began as an antiques market has evolved into a destination where interior design, craftsmanship, books, gastronomy and a vibrant creative community come together in a former industrial complex that has become the perfect setting for developing new ideas and projects.
To discover it for ourselves, we decided to take a short road trip behind the wheel of the new Lynk & Co 08. Comfortable, quiet and offering a range that encourages you to forget about the clock, the journey became the perfect introduction to a day devoted to exploring one of Catalonia’s most inspiring destinations for design lovers.
We left Barcelona early in the morning, leaving the pace of the city behind as we climbed the winding road through the Collserola hills.
Before heading directly to Sant Cugat, we made a brief stop near Tibidabo, whose unmistakable silhouette has dominated Barcelona’s skyline for more than a century.
From this privileged viewpoint, where the historic amusement park, the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and breathtaking panoramic views of the city coexist, the change of scenery is almost immediate. Within just a few kilometres, the urban landscape gives way to a quieter environment that perfectly anticipates the unhurried character of Mercantic, a place where time seems to move at an altogether different pace.
From ceramic factory to design landmark
Mercantic‘s origins explain much of its unique personality. The complex occupies a former ceramics factory built in the mid-twentieth century, an industrial site that for many years formed part of Sant Cugat’s manufacturing heritage.
In the early 1990s, the Barnils family decided to give it a new future. Rather than turning it into a residential development or a conventional shopping centre, they chose to preserve its industrial character and bring together antique dealers, restorers and design professionals under one roof.
More than thirty years later, that decision continues to define the spirit of the place. Walking through Mercantic means wandering among warehouses, courtyards and corners with their own distinct identities, far removed from predetermined routes and uniform shopfronts.
The value of objects with a story
Interest in vintage furniture and antiques has grown significantly in recent years. Architects and interior designers increasingly turn to original pieces to bring character to homes, hotels and restaurants. In contrast to mass-produced furniture, objects with a past offer something difficult to replicate: personality.
Long before this renewed appreciation gained momentum, Mercantic was already home to specialist dealers in furniture, lighting, ceramics, art, books and decorative objects spanning different periods and styles. In many cases, every piece has undergone a careful process of sourcing, restoration and conservation that allows it to continue its journey for many years to come.
At a time when sustainability also means consuming more consciously, giving existing objects a second life takes on an entirely new significance. It is no longer simply about decoration, but about choosing pieces capable of becoming part of new stories.
Much more than an antiques market
Describing Mercantic simply as an antiques market would hardly do it justice.
Over the years, the complex has grown to include bookshops, artisan workshops, galleries, interior design stores, restaurants and cafés, as well as a cultural programme that makes it a destination worth spending an entire morning—or even the whole day—exploring.
One of its best-known spaces is El Siglo, a spectacular bookshop housed inside a former industrial warehouse and home to thousands of second-hand books.
Beyond its remarkable collection, it has become one of Mercantic‘s most vibrant cultural venues thanks to a programme of concerts, book launches and literary events.
The pace of the place is part of the experience itself. It is easy to find visitors browsing books for hours, searching for the perfect lamp for an interior design project or simply enjoying a coffee while watching life unfold around the complex.
El Siglo is a spectacular bookshop housed inside a former industrial warehouse and home to thousands of second-hand books.
A destination for the whole day
After exploring its bookshops, workshops and design spaces, the gastronomic offering provides every reason to extend the visit.
Casa Ñidro, led by chef Alejandro Goñi, serves seasonal cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients, where traditional recipes are reinterpreted with sensitivity and without unnecessary embellishment.
It is one of those places where it is worth lingering, especially to enjoy its outstanding sourdough bread, baked fresh every day.
For those looking for a more informal option, Cinc, Mercantic‘s café housed inside a converted shipping container, offers an excellent selection of speciality coffees, brunch dishes, sandwiches, small plates and homemade pastries.
Its terrace, perfectly integrated into the everyday rhythm of the complex, is the ideal place to pause before continuing to discover new corners.
The cultural programme completes the experience.
Throughout the year, Mercantic hosts concerts, themed markets, workshops, book presentations and activities for all ages. It is well worth checking the calendar before your visit.
A place to find inspiration
Mercantic has become an essential destination for architects, interior designers, stylists and design enthusiasts alike.
Bringing together furniture, art, lighting, ceramics, books and objects from such diverse periods creates connections that would be difficult to experience in a conventional shop.
Mercantic has become a benchmark destination for architects, interior designers, stylists and design lovers.
Much of its value also lies in the people behind each space. Many of the dealers have spent decades sourcing, restoring and carefully selecting their collections, and that expertise becomes evident not only in the way the objects are presented but also in the conversations that naturally arise during a visit.
Perhaps that is why Mercantic has never lost its ability to surprise. The pieces change, new spaces emerge and there is always another detail inviting visitors to stay just a little longer.
A new generation
After more than three decades of history, Mercantic is entering a new chapter with the arrival of Pep Barnils, who has taken over the family project as part of its generational transition.
Having grown up surrounded by antique dealers, restorers and objects rich in history has allowed him to understand Mercantic from the inside—not merely as a commercial space, but as a community built gradually over time.
His challenge is to preserve that identity while introducing new cultural and creative initiatives capable of keeping the project alive and bringing it closer to younger generations. It is a natural evolution that understands Mercantic as a place in constant transformation without losing sight of the values that have always defined it.
After more than three decades, Mercantic begins a new chapter with the arrival of Pep Barnils.
A getaway worth repeating
The best way to understand Mercantic is to return. Not because it cannot be explored in a single morning, but because it is constantly changing. Many of its objects find new owners, some spaces evolve and there is always the feeling that something remains waiting to be discovered.
As we drove back to Barcelona, we found ourselves still talking about some of the morning’s discoveries: a beautiful 1960s lamp, a stunning industrial chest of drawers, a dreamlike bookshop, an inspiring collection of vinyl records, a strip of analogue photo booth pictures, an excellent lunch and a conversation with a restorer who had spent decades giving furniture and objects a second life. Together, they confirmed that Mercantic has far more to offer than anyone might initially imagine.
(*) Photos: CC/studio.
