The militia women of The Barceloneta Neighborhood
On October 26th, the Barceloneta History Workshop gave a lecture
Cánovas 1929
- #7/2023, History
Tribute to a whole history
Alfons Cánovas Lapuente (4 -11-1917) comienza a aprender el oficio de joyero en 1929 en el taller del sr. Cabañas de la calle Obradors. A principios de los años 40 se incorpora al quiosco de joyería y relojería que había en la portería de la escalera donde vivía la familia (Maquinista, 18), propiedad de su tío joyero, Vicenç Gurrea . Allí también trabajaba el sobrino de Vicente, Isidro Gurrea , quien acabó siendo cuñado al casarse con la hermana de Alfonso, la Pepita . Alfonso se casó con la Quimeta , natural de la Barceloneta y pescadera de la Boqueria.Alfons Cánovas Lapuente (4 -11-1917) began to learn the jeweller’s trade in 1929 in the workshop of Mr. Cabañas in Obradors street. At the beginning of the 1940s he joined the jeweller’s and watchmaker’s kiosk in the doorway of the staircase where the family lived (Maquinista, 18), owned by his jeweller uncle, Vicenç Gurrea. Vicente’s nephew, Isidro Gurrea , who ended up becoming his brother-in-law when he married Alfonso’s sister, Pepita , also worked there. Alfonso married Quimeta, a native of Barceloneta and a fishmonger in the Boqueria.
In 1942 he opened his own establishment, in the same place where it is now.
First with his brother-in-law Isidro, but later, only when he enlarged the premises, and the business grew. By 1960 there were already 6 jewellers and 4 watchmakers, with the jeweller’s shop/watchmaker’s shop and, upstairs, a jeweller’s workshop.
In 1970-72 he suffered a crisis to bring in more competition with the opening of the “bazares” in Pla de Palau and the attempt to buy the building where they were still located by the Banco de Sabadell.
This forced him to restructure the business. Following this trajectory in the world of jewellery, Alfonso became the President of the Jewellers and Goldsmiths Guild from 1978 to 1986.
Second and third generation.
In the 70’s his son Sito joined the family business, combining his successful sporting career: player and coach at the Club Natació Barceloneta and international water polo player and Olympian in Munich’72. In 2009, his grandson Alfons, after finishing his studies in the world of finance, management and marketing and, like his father Sito, combining it with his sporting career, joined the family business to give new impetus and a more modern vision. Opening, among other projects, the online shop in 2010. This digital channel now accounts for half of the turnover and a clientele throughout Spain and the rest of Europe.
In 2023, the Cánovas family wants to pay tribute to its origins with the creation of its own brand CÁNOVAS 1929.
A range of high-quality watches, with timeless design and Japanese precision technology. Models that reflect the family’s sporting links and the seafaring spirit of Barceloneta.
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