[ENG/ESP] Conejero Market, an icon of Margarita
Greetings, fellow travelers. Today I’d like to take you to a place that holds a special place in the collective memory of many residents of Margarita Island: the Conejero Market, located on José Asunción Rodríguez Avenue in Porlamar, García Municipality, Nueva Esparta State, on Margarita Island.
Saludos, amigos viajeros. Hoy quiero llevarlos conmigo a un lugar que forma parte de la memoria colectiva de muchos margariteños; el Mercado Conejero, ubicado en la avenida José Asunción Rodríguez, en Porlamar, municipio García, estado Nueva Esparta, en Isla de Margarita.
This market, which for many is a symbol of tradition and community, was designed by architect Andrés Simón Herrera, who was assisted by two other architects and an engineer in bringing the project to fruition. The original idea was to create a spacious and functional space that would bring together shops, vegetable stands, various businesses, and a food court dedicated to offering traditional dishes, including the ever-present arepas and dogfish empanadas, which are so representative of the people of Margarita.
According to a local woman, this market was created with the intention of bringing together all the merchants of Porlamar, including entrepreneurs who at the time were looking for a decent place to work. It was built in 1957, remodeled and expanded in 1970, and underwent its last expansion in 2004. A vendor who has been working there for about twenty-five years shared this information with me; she is a living witness to its evolution, its heyday, and also its difficult times.
Este mercado, que para muchos es un símbolo de tradición y encuentro, fue diseñado por el arquitecto Andrés Simón Herrera, quien contó con el apoyo de dos arquitectos adicionales y un ingeniero para materializar la obra. La idea original era crear un espacio amplio y funcional donde se integraran tiendas, puestos de verduras, comercios variados y un área gastronómica destinada a ofrecer platos típicos, incluyendo las infaltables arepas y empanadas de cazón, que tanto representan al margariteño.
Según me contó una lugareña, este mercado nació con la intención de reagrupar a todos los comerciantes de Porlamar, incluyendo a los emprendedores que en aquel entonces buscaban un espacio digno para trabajar. Fue construido en el año 1957, remodelado y ampliado en 1970, y tuvo su última expansión en 2004. Estos datos me los compartió una comerciante que lleva aproximadamente veinticinco años trabajando allí, testigo viva de su evolución, de sus mejores tiempos y también de sus momentos difíciles.
The Conejero Market marked a wonderful era. Many tourists from different parts of the country eagerly awaited their vacations so they could come to Margarita and do their shopping. In those days, thanks to the free port regime, prices were very low and the products were of excellent quality. It was common to see entire families strolling through the aisles, comparing prices, buying clothes, shoes, handicrafts, and, of course, sampling the local cuisine that has always been a hallmark of the island.
El Mercado Conejero marcó una época hermosa. Muchos turistas de diferentes regiones del país esperaban con ansias sus vacaciones para venir a Margarita y hacer sus compras. En aquellos años, gracias al régimen de puerto libre, los precios eran muy bajos y los productos de excelente calidad. Era común ver familias completas recorriendo los pasillos, comparando precios, comprando ropa, calzado, artesanías y, por supuesto, degustando la comida típica que siempre ha sido un sello de identidad.
Over time, the market began to decline. The arrival of large shopping malls, economic changes, and, more recently, the impact of the pandemic, brought it to the brink of closure. However, despite the difficulties, some vendors have held their ground, persevering for more than twenty years, clinging to their stalls, their customers, and the hope that the market will be reborn.
One of the things that most distinguished the Conejero Market was the arrival of trucks loaded with fresh agricultural products from the mainland. Vegetables, fruits, and high-quality coffee beans arrived at very affordable prices. In my family, for example, we always went to the market to buy fresh vegetables and that coffee beans with an incomparable aroma.
Con el paso del tiempo, el mercado fue decayendo. La llegada de grandes centros comerciales, los cambios económicos y, más recientemente, el impacto de la pandemia, lo llevaron casi al cierre total. Sin embargo, a pesar de las dificultades, algunos vendedores se han mantenido firmes, resistiendo por más de veinte años, aferrados a su espacio, a sus clientes y a la esperanza de que el mercado vuelva a renacer.
Una de las cosas que más distinguía al Mercado Conejero era la llegada de camiones cargados de productos agrícolas frescos provenientes de tierra firme. Verduras, frutas, hortalizas y café en granos de excelente calidad llegaban a precios muy accesibles. En mi casa, por ejemplo, siempre se iba al mercado para comprar verduras frescas y ese café en granos que tenía un aroma incomparable.
Today, even though the market isn’t what it used to be, the food court has experienced a resurgence. Little by little, new food stalls have been popping up, and that has breathed new life into the place. I think this revival is a positive thing, not only for the vendors but also for those of us who grew up hearing stories about the market or wandering through it during its golden age.
I wanted to tell you about this iconic market on Margarita Island because I know many of you remember it fondly. Although it has now been overshadowed by large shopping malls, it remains an important little piece of our island’s history—a place that holds memories, anecdotes, and the essence of a time that shaped an entire generation.
Well, dear fellow travelers, I’ll sign off for today. I’ll be back very soon with another post to show you another little corner of this beautiful island that I love so much.
See you soon.
Bye.
Hoy en día, aunque el mercado no es el mismo de antes, el área gastronómica ha cobrado un nuevo auge. Poco a poco han ido surgiendo nuevos puestos de comida, y eso le ha devuelto algo de vida al lugar. Creo que este renacer es positivo, no solo para los comerciantes, sino también para quienes crecimos escuchando historias del mercado o recorriéndolo en su época dorada.
Quise hablarles de este mercado icónico de Isla Margarita porque sé que muchos lo recuerdan con nostalgia. Aunque ahora esté superado por grandes centros comerciales, sigue siendo un pedacito importante de nuestra historia insular, un espacio que guarda recuerdos, anécdotas y la esencia de un tiempo que marcó a toda una generación.
Bueno, queridos amigos viajeros, me despido por hoy. Muy pronto volveré con otra publicación para mostrarles otro rinconcito de esta hermosa isla que tanto amo.
Hasta pronto.
Chao.
The photos were taken with a Redmi Note 13
Translated with DeepeL
Photos was made with Inshot
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What a beautiful shots of supermarket in Margarita..it's cleaned and well maintained area..
Yeah, they turned out really nice. That supermarket has always had a certain charm, and lately they've been keeping it pretty clean and tidy. It's nice to stop by; it has a calm, well-maintained atmosphere. 🌹🌷🪷🌺💐🏵️🌻🌼🥀💮🪻🌸🍀
The photos are nice, but lately I've heard that tourist prices have gotten a bit too high for the quality. Is it still worth it?
Yes, some prices have gone up a bit lately—that’s true. But even so, the place still has its charm. In the end, you’re paying more for the experience, the atmosphere, and those unique spots you can’t find just anywhere.
If you go with the intention of having a good time, it’s still worth it. And well… the photos help, but experiencing it in person is always something else. 🌹🌷🪷🌺💐🏵️🌻🌼🥀💮🪻🌸🍀
Thanks for your reply
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