The most emblematic market of Madrid returns
It was the first gastronomic market to open in the capital and, after nine months closed, it finally reopens its doors today, Friday, July 2. Madrid center It has been seen throughout the pandemic desolate by foreign visitors and tourists, leaving its streets and businesses orphaned of life and spirits. The people of Madrid have not abandoned the local businesses , in fact they have tried to do the opposite, but it has been the neighborhoods that have been more crowded, leaving the surroundings of the Sun Gate with the blind lowered for even longer. Little by little, this image has been changing, accepting more visitors and more walks through the area that, now and finally, once again have the presence of the Market of San Miguel.
"These nine months have been quite tough from a business and corporate point of view because the market is our star asset", comments Ignacio Porta, Redevco spokesperson , company that owns and manages the Mercado de San Miguel. "We have put love and effort into this project and it has been a hard blow. But also at an institutional level because of the love that Madrid has for this location".
open from early 20th century as a food market and relaunched in 2018 What gastronomic market , that of San Miguel is one of the most visited enclaves in the capital after the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, an icon of the city due to its influx and an almost obligatory stop for national and foreign tourists. "It was not in our hands to reopen, we depended on a totally justified decision and now that the Community is going to allow the service again, we want to return its support to the city by putting our grain of sand so that the sightseeing reactivated", confesses Porta.
Drawing of the most iconic market in Madrid
They do this by attaching to the current restrictions according to the order of the Ministry of Health, which establishes that bars they are prohibited for consumption but not for the collection of food and drinks. "People will be able to taste everything they buy in the high tables and chairs , as well as those that are distributed around the entire perimeter of the window", explains Porta.
From the property of the market they are aware that the international tourism It will take time to arrive, even more so in summer, which is why its focus (which had already been pointing out ways since before the pandemic) is concentrated on recovering tourism from Madrid . "Since the purchase of the property we have sought to refocus this factor, including tenants with higher quality, such as Rodrigo of the Street (Paella by Rodrigo de la Calle) or jordi rock (Rocambolesc)," shares Porta. With all the more reason, this will now be his line of action, recovering the domestic customer with better known names and accommodating prices so that their tenants can be in line with the current situation.
Madreamiga will be one of the new market stalls
Some of the new names that are added to the market in its reopening are Little , a meat concept associated with Discarlux, the best meat supplier in Spain. also reincorporates Mr Martin , which already had a cart and now moves to a stall with a menu that revolves around lobster and lobster dishes. BREAD , the corn flour brand that had a temporary position in the past, has been relocated with a long-term concept designed for Venezuelan arepas, while picoclever opens with its potato tortillas. As a climax, Motherfriend by La Miguiña puts a face to all the pastry and artisanal bakery on the market.
Unfortunately, Lhardy leaves the market due to being in bankruptcy proceedings; while others have said goodbye as a result of these hard months: such as Raza Nostra, Horno San Onofre, Tacos Margaritas and Punto –by Roberto Ruiz– and Amaiketako.