Markets are the heartbeat of neighborhoods, and sometimes that heartbeat needs to move temporarily so it can continue to beat strongly. This Sunday, the Passeig de Sant Joan was the setting for a warm and festive “see you soon,” as the Mercat de l’Abaceria organized a grand celebration to bid farewell to the temporary tent that has sheltered them for the past eight years.
Through children’s games, live music, traditional habanera singing, and a large community meal, the merchants wanted to thank the neighbors for their support during this time. The festive day marks the permanent closure of this temporary facility and kicks off the countdown to the return to its historic location—a very special moment they wanted to share with their customers.
A family that’s growing beyond Gràcia
The forced relocation brought with it an unexpected and positive outcome: the discovery of a new audience. Over the past eight years, the market has managed to attract shoppers from beyond the boundaries of the Vila de Gràcia.
Maribel Ampolla, president of the vendors’ association, says that among themselves they have formed something very much like “a family.” With the closure of the tent, the vendors are confident that they have succeeded in building loyalty among these new customers on Passeig de Sant Joan, so that they will continue to visit them in their next phase.
The long-awaited return to the Travessera
The return home is now set for a specific date on the calendar. On November 17, the Mercat de l’Abaceria will officially reopen its doors on Travessera de Gràcia. This marks the culmination of a process that began in early 2019 with the demolition of the old market building, and whose renovation work has taken longer than initially anticipated.
The wait, however, will bring about a complete transformation of the space. The new Gràcia market will feature 51 traditional stalls, an integrated supermarket, and various spaces for neighborhood use. In addition, the facilities will include a parking lot with capacity for 50 vehicles and a new public square that aims to become the neighborhood’s new gathering place.
