Zicatela Market
The Zicatela Market on Highway 200, finally, after many delays, opened for business on November 17. Long awaited by the inhabitants of the nearby communities and the shop owners of the old 12 de Diciembre market, it also promises to be a tourist attraction.
The market responds to a growing Puerto’s need for easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, meat, cheese, bread and handmade tortillas, as well as a panoply of clothes, jewelry, household goods, flowers and toys. Not to mention handicrafts and mezcal.
Unfortunately, many of the 100 shops still were not open in December. Nevertheless, it’s worth a visit, not only for shopping but also for its restaurants with their cool, sea breezes and spectacular views of Zicatela beach. They specialize in fresh fish and sea food with local seasoning.
The market will also feature a weekly tianguis (outdoor market) for local farmers and craftspeople to sell directly to the public.
HISTORYDon Elias Martínez Lara was one of the founders of the old 12 de Diciembre market, the predecessor to today’s Mercado Zicatela. He is one of only five remaining shop owners of the 48 who, back in 1984, laid the groundwork for a market on this site.
As Don Elias tells it, a group of local merchants called Giros Diversos (diverse goods) wanted to open a market where they could sell their wares near the Miguel Hidalgo municipal market, then located in Parque Idilio. (That market later moved and became the Benito Juárez market.) With much difficulty and the opposition of the Miguel Hidalgo venders, they were able to get temporary permits to operate on Avenida Oaxaca. Later they tried to buy the land where Chedraui now is, but it was beyond their means.
Finally, having given up on getting any help from San Pedro Mixtepec, the group decided to appeal to Santa María Colotepec. They asked the assembly of the Bienes Comunales (communal land) to donate land for a market and their request was granted. And it is here that the new market was built.
Unfortunately, in 1985, ISSSTE (the health care system for federal employees) claimed that it held title to the site and accused the group of invading its property. The group fought back, and its leaders, including Don Elias, suffered threats and arrests. But in 1987, the merchants won in court and were able to legally do business.
The problems did not end there. Because of the ownership conflict, their first attempts to get electricity and water were rejected. But using their own resources, the group was able to connect to the grid and to get water piped in.
The next step was getting the municipality to build a market. The 12 de Diciembre market was just an agglomeration of small shops. Every municipal president since 1984 had promised to build the market, but it wasn’t until the administration of Carmelo Cruz Mendoza (2014-2016) that an agreement was reached with the State, which provided the funds.
Despite all the problems, expenses, and years of struggle, Don Elias is happy that he lived to see the market he worked for all these years finally come to fruition.
Municipal markets are independent, self-governing entities that receive governmental support. So it was that Governor Alejandro Murat Hinojosa inaugurated Santa Maria Colotepec’s Mercado Zicatela, early last year, some months before its actual opening — leading to the confusion of would-be shoppers.
The market did finally open for business on November 17, although most of the 100 shops remain closed. Abelardo López Maldonado, the General Secretary of the Board of Directors, told us that the Board is working to motivate the vendors to open promptly in order to attract national and international visitors during the high season.
The shop owners are all members of the Assembly which meets once a month to vote on proposals made by the Board of Directors. These include tequios (obligatory community service) for clearing the brush behind the market, as well as larger projects. There is now a plan to build stairs and a wheelchair ramp to connect the market to Zicatela beach. There will also be a walkway from the market to the adjacent community of Los Tamarindos.
The members of the Mercado Zicatela held a dinner and dance on December 11, the eve of the day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The original market was called the 12th of December in honor of the patron saint of Mexico.
