Founded by Josep Gay Vila in the late 19th century, Casa Gay began as a furniture rental service that quickly became a benchmark in Barcelona. With entrepreneurial drive and a forward-looking vision, the family expanded the business and carried it through successive generations. Casa Gay evolved by adding hospitality product distribution to its rental service. Today, under the leadership of the third generation of the Ortega family, it preserves a century-old legacy while adapting to modern times without losing its essence.
Four years later, he established his first furniture depot at 59 Carrer de Trafalgar, with a catalogue featuring wooden and iron chairs as well as marble and iron tables.
The business grew rapidly, and Casa Gay soon gained recognition as a household name. Landmark events, such as the rental of 200 Viennese chairs and 100 rush-seated wooden chairs for the Liceu of Barcelona in 1901, or its participation in the Festes de la Mercè in 1908, consolidated its reputation. In 1907, the illness of Josep Gay Vila forced his eldest son, Josep Maria Gay Sans, then just 16 years old, to take over the running of the business. After his father’s death in 1914, the family pressed on and, in 1915, opened a new warehouse at 120–122 Carrer de la Marina, marking the beginning of a new era.
Magnam doloremque recusa sandae doloresIn 1929, Josep Maria reached a major milestone when Barcelona City Council awarded him, through public tender, the contract to provide chair rental services for the 1929 International Exposition. The concession, which lasted until 1931, gave the company a significant boost. With the profits earned, in December 1935 the hospitality rental business relocated to 10–12 and 14 Carrer de Roger de Llúria, in the heart of Barcelona’s Eixample district.
In the early 1940s, after nearly half a century of history, Casa Gay secured another key concession: the lease of chairs and armchairs for public spaces, granted by Barcelona City Council for a ten-year period. These “Rambla chairs” became a symbol of the city, used for theatre performances, local festivities and iconic events such as the Corpus Christi processions.
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Magnam doloremque recusa sandae doloresWith its unique combination of tradition and innovation, Casa Gay continues to write its story, remaining a benchmark in the sector and keeping alive its passion for the craft.
We are committed to offering hospitality professionals and all food lovers “with a cook’s spirit” products that meet their needs, always guaranteeing quality, performance and sustainability.
We work closely with suppliers and chefs to provide a wide range of solutions across all kitchen categories. At the same time, our strategic vision allows us to anticipate trends and manage stock efficiently, reducing delivery times and ensuring our clients always have the best products when they need them.
The Casa Gay historical archive preserves documents, images and materials that serve as a living testament to a century-old business legacy closely linked to Barcelona’s history. It offers a journey through the city’s urban, social and cultural transformation, seen through the story of a company that has grown alongside it. A memory written with skill, dedication and family spirit.
Taula per a dos is Casa Gay’s gastronomy podcast: intimate conversations about food, culture and the pleasure of dining. A space to listen, savour and learn. A meeting place where gastronomy and culture come together. From Barcelona – with more than 100 years of history as a benchmark in the hospitality sector – we open this intimate dialogue between journalist Magda Minguet and a special guest. Like the best after-dinner conversations, it starts with a clear beginning but no set ending. A podcast for those who love gastronomy not only as the art of cooking but also as a way of life.
In this 200 m² space in Barcelona’s Eixample district, we sell both wholesale and retail, with our offices located just above. Since 1935, our sales team – professionals with extensive experience in the sector – has been providing personalised, expert advice.
Phone: 93 318 14 95 WhatsApp: 696 54 76 35
Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Phone: 93 318 14 95 WhatsApp: 696 54 76 35
Monday to Friday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Phone: 93 308 01 04
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
