Malls of Managua
Whether it’s a puppy, a pewter gravy boat or some paisley fabric, you can find what you’re shopping for in Managua’s malls.
With a variety of types of shopping venues available, shoppers have a wide choice in what they buy and how much it costs. Managua offers high end, glitzy malls with food courts and Wi-Fi (wireless internet) as well as strip shopping centers and a locally-owned, eco-friendly mall. Here we will take a look at a few of Managua’s shopping options.
Centro Comercial Managua
The earthquake that devastated Managua in December of 1972 left many challenges facing Nicaragua’s capital. The entire former downtown area was leveled, including many businesses and residences. In an effort to rebuild and provide opportunities for people to earn their living, the equivalent of the Nicaragua chamber of commerce took on the challenge of relocating and rebuilding the commercial core of Managua, according to Alberto Lacayo, president of the board of directors of Centro Comercial Managua. Lacayo is also in charge of public relations for the mall because, as he says with a smile, “I have a big mouth.”
Alberto’s family had a vested interest in decisions regarding businesses. His grandfather, Dr. Emilio Lacayo Morenco, founded one of the oldest pharmacies in the country some 70 years ago. Alberto’s father, Alberto Lacayo Lacayo, was a lawyer and a pharmacist but he eventually gave up practicing law and concentrated on owning and operating the pharmacy. Today Alberto keeps the pharmacy tradition alive and works out of his Farmacia Managua store in section A of Centro Comercial.
The location of Centro Comercial, in the northwest section of Managua’s fifth district, was intended to be the new downtown area of Managua. But as Alberto says, “This is the only country in the world whose capital doesn’t have a downtown area. Every shopping center is a downtown in Managua. And they’re all located within one or two kilometers of each other.”
Once the construction of Centro Comercial began, it went quickly. On August 13, 1973, initial construction was completed. The original Centro Comercial consisted of 110 stores located in two-and-a-half sections. Due to competition from other malls that have sprung up in Managua, Centro Comercial has continuously been changed, maintained, and upgraded. Currently there are 200 stores and four sections.
Housed at Centro Comercial are a branch of the post office, a pet store, and stores that carry all sort of clothing, furniture, toys, fabric, medical and hospital equipment, office supplies, shoes and a host of other items. About six years ago Centro Comercial shop owners also funded the creation of a road and rotunda that makes it easier to access the mall. The government of Managua lent machinery for the project. While the mall may have undergone enhancements to entice shoppers, the emphasis on being an eco- and human-friendly mall has remained constant.
“We hate to tear down trees. Whenever we can, we build around the trees,” Alberto says proudly. Business owners at Centro Comercial also try to make the mall inviting by adding touches like shaded areas where shoppers can take a break from the rigors of spending. Plans are in the works to add a food court, as well. The 3,280 square-foot food court will have a park in which children may play. Also planned are eight fast food stands and eight other areas for ice cream and snack vendors. Construction of this food court is expected to be completed by March.
About 12 years ago, Centro Comercial was purchased from the original owners by business owners in the mall. The price tag was $1.5 million (U.S.). The mall at that time, Alberto recalls, didn’t have the pleasant environment and gardens it currently has. About $3.8 million has subsequently been spent on the renovation and mall improvements.
The mall is currently operated like a condominium complex, with each of the business owners owning their buildings and sharing in the cost of publicity and maintenance of and electricity for common areas. And because the cost of owning and maintaining a store in Centro Comercial is less than it would be at one of the larger, glitzier malls, shop owners can pass their savings on to consumers, Alberto says.
“This is the only shopping mall that is owned 100 percent by Nicaraguans,” Alberto says. He says that Centro Comercial businesses take pride in providing the type of service that results in return visits by shoppers. Salespeople working in the mall received training in customer service regularly.
“The type of treatment you give the people that visit you is going to make a difference,” he says. He practices this, as well. For instance, he chats cheerfully with passing shop keepers and visitors. He may tell an elderly shopper that she looks like the sunshine today. “I don’t have to pay anything for this,” he says of the goodwill he shares. “They (shoppers and visitors) feel great. This does more for them than the medicine they have to take.”
Centro Comercial houses medium- to low-cost stores, Alberto says. In some respects, they compete with the Oriental Market. However, Centro Comercial’s safe and aesthetically pleasing environment may give them a bit of an edge. Alberto estimates that in the regular season, between 3,000 and 5,000 people visit the shopping center on a weekday, with the number rising to 10,000 to 12,000 on Saturdays. This number increases during the holiday season, when there are special activities such as shows and art performances that are held on Wednesdays, when the mall stays open until 11 p.m. He estimates 60 percent of the people who come to Centro Comercial purchase something from one of the stores.
Metrocentro
Located in the heart of one of the many new business districts in Managua, Metrocentro has become a meeting place for business people, a shopping haven for consumers, and a see-and-be-seen spot for Nicaraguans and foreigners alike. Chances are you’ll run into someone you know – regardless of where you’ve come from or how long you’ve been in Nicaragua – while enjoying lunch in the food court here or a mid-afternoon coffee at Casa de Café.
Like the Centro Comercial, Metrocentro is a product of the 1970s. The original shopping center housed 40 commercial enterprises, according to Florencia Martinez, marketing manager of Grupo Roble, mall founder. Grupo Roble has created malls throughout Central America, Panama and Columbia. The company has more than 40 years of experience in design, construction, commercialization and operations of shopping centers.
In 1988, Metrocentro completed its second phase, which included the addition of movie theaters, a food court, a banking area and additional storefronts. Aesthetic changes were also made at this time to ensure the consistency of the look of both phases of construction.
“The architects involved in the project clearly understand the culture of the country and have been able to integrate it into the design,” Florencia points out. “The building façade reflects an attractive colonial design. In addition to modern and functional amenities, Metrocentro boasts the first escalator in the country.”
In 2000, Metrocentro underwent another metamorphosis. At this time, the Intercontinental Real Hotel, a perfect complement to the shopping center, was built next door. The Intercontinental is one of the most prestigious hotels in the region. This five-star hotel houses 157 rooms and various multi-use common areas available for a variety of events.
In only 10 months, the third phase of renovation was completed at Metrocentro. This 234,450-square-foot addition consists of 30 new spaces for commercial stores of international renown as well as the store Carrión, Nicaragua’s largest department store. This phase also consisted of a new, three-level parking garage with 500 more parking spaces. Further expansion of Metrocentro is planned.
All told, Metrocentro currently has 111 stores, 2 department stores (Carrión and Eclipse), 6 movie theaters (Cinemark), capacity for 750 people in the food court, and parking capacity for more than 1,000 vehicles. Stores at Metrocentro include Portal, Lacoste, PUMA, Sands, Lolita, Benetton, Radio Shack, and others. Metrocentro shoppers can find articles for the home, clothing, banking services, a bookstore, jewelry stores, a pharmacy, a beauty salon and more. The food court boasts an equally diverse menu, including national and American fast food and traditional fare such as McDonald´s, Subway, Cajun Grill, Cocina de Dna. Haydee, Eskimo, Pizza Hut, Tip-Top chicken, and much more.
In addition to shops and food, Metrocentro hosts activities such as cultural events, tastings and expositions which attract a large number of visitors. Metrocentro enjoys a weekly average of 150,000 visitors.
Galerías Santo Domingo
Galerías Santo Domingo is the new kid on the mall block. Construction was completed and the mall was inaugurated in the mid-2000s. The roughly 164,000-square-foot facility offers a host of modern stores, eateries, services, banks, and a theater. The food court houses such restaurants as Subway, American Donuts, Don Pan, Tip Top and Burger King. Wireless internet is available in the food court. Other eateries at Galerías Santo Domingo include Papa John’s and Sushi Itto. One of the anchor stores of Galerías Santo Domingo is SIMAN. Other stores include Nine West, Lacoste, Puma, Curacao, Alke, Copasa, and Camas Luna. According to an article in the Spanish-language newspaper El Nuevo Diario, the shopping center has 108 businesses, 18 restaurants in the food court, a 10-screen multiplex theater, and an Alive Zone recreational facility that has more restaurants.
If your mantra is “Shop until you drop”, Managua can provide the venues.
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