* The author is part of the community of readers of La Vanguardia
Of the first and unknown warehouses that Barcelona had, two of those that are not very well known today were the Almacenes Cataluña and the Tivoli. The first was located at number 7 Plaza Catalunya, between Ronda Universidad and Vergara.
It was the first commercial establishment in Plaza Catalunya that used the word “Warehouses” in its advertisements (a word that meant that different types of products could be found in the premises).
During its existence, Almacenes Catalunya was basically dedicated to dressing ladies both externally and with underwear, but emphasizing exclusive models of underwear, what we currently know as lingerie.
The store occupied the extensive ground floor of the Marcelino Janer House. The life of these warehouses was not very long, it barely lasted five years. During that time the businesses opened in Plaza Catalunya were in high demand and constantly changed owners.
The Catalunya Stores opened their doors on Saturday, March 11, 1922 and communicated the news to future customers with a full-page advertisement in La Vanguardia.
Five years later, shortly before the summer of 1927, also in La Vanguardia, but this time not on a full page, they announced the liquidation of all stocks.
Later, the place was occupied by the new café-restaurant Maison Dorée, but that establishment had a much longer history and deserves a separate chapter.
