An area that contributes to the daily mobility of the Dominican economy with the sales of clothes, fabrics and household goods
Santo Domingo, RD. – With more than 95 years of history, commerce and tradition, Duarte Avenue remains one of the most busy commercial arteries in Santo Domingo.
Although it is the same way, it has different traditions, public and sales. On the one hand is the peculiar, organized and young Chinese neighborhood, an ideal place for city and gastronomic tourism in the same center of the capital, as well as to make specific purchases of blue porcelain items, products of Chinese origin, silver and others.
While on the most popular and commercial side, it is located, at the northern end of the avenue, the stores previously populated by Spanish and Dominican merchants, today a little more multicultural with the inclusion of Chinese businesses, Haitian buhoneros and some vendors of Venezuelan origin.
Iconous shops of “La Duarte”
On the Dominican side, it is a commercial area, but also historical and cultural, because traditionally Dominican families used to visit that destination to make their purchases in special seasons with their children, such as schoolchildren and Christmas.
It is common to dialogue with a national and tell you some experience of the long -awaited visits to “La Duarte”.
As is the case of the edili journalist Arias, who with longing and despite being from San Cristóbal, a province 24.6 kilometers from Santo Domingo, recalls those happy moments when he used to come to visit the long -awaited purchases in Christmas times.
“I remember that they sat in front of a source of turtles and that was my entertainment when we were shopping,” he said with joy on his face while meditating at those moments of his childhood.
Some of the best known stores on Avenida Duarte especially in the section between Mexico Avenue and Duarte with Paris are:
- Lama Squarebeing one of the most traditional and possibly with more years in the area, it has remained as a clothing store, appliances and edible.
- “La Gran Vía”famous for its variety in footwear and clothes for decades and with popular and very sticky ads.
- “United Warehouses “of various products.
- Belén shoesan emblem store for visitors of the time.
- Paris shoesanother store with special shoes offers.
As well as other clothing stores: “The Palace of Fabrics”, “Los Muchos” and “La Nacional”.
Nowadays not only with stores of Dominican origin or Spanish footwear, but also with the variety and offers of Chinese merchants with home products.
In addition to being known for discount stores, urban fashion, perfumes, accessories and appliances, it is an active trade zone, especially for wholesale or economic purchases, where the economy moves daily.
How is people in the Chinese neighborhood?
A question that surely full of curiosity to thousands of Dominicans, however, after the visit of El Día to this little piece of China in Santo Domingo we could verify the nobility of its citizens, some very discreet and shy with the press, others that perhaps do not handle the Spanish very well, but with an absolute willingness to collaborate and talk about their culture and businesses in the country.
The Chinese neighborhood of Santo Domingo is located at the southern end of Duarte Avenue, between Mexico Avenue and Mella Avenue, is a substrate of People’s Chinese culture in the Dominican Republic.
Chinese Jingdezhen porcelain
For two years, Jingdezhen’s porcelain, originally from China, has found a home in the Dominican Republic, gaining popularity among the locals. These products, already appreciated in renowned museums such as the British Museum, as well as in the United States and France, now seek to conquer the Dominican market.
“Our products enjoy great popularity, especially in the British Museum, the United States, France and other countries, where they are highly appreciated. Therefore, we want to promote these excellent products in the Dominican Republic and share the charm of Chinese porcelain,” said Lin. Yunde, a businessman from this colorful neighborhood while opening his articles.
According to Lin Yunde, the brand strives to offer high quality products and achieve an excellent result. Jingdezhen’s porcelain is highly appreciated by the locals, which has driven the company to continue investing in the Dominican market.
The company also aims to contribute to local employment and economic prosperity, seeking to strengthen the ties of friendship between the Chinese people and the Dominican Republic. “Local employment and economic prosperity will make the Chinese people a good friend of the Dominican Republic,” said this kind Chinese citizen who was always willing to dialogue and share despite not handling the Spanish language.
Social realities of the Duarte
Those who usually go to the traditional Duarte Avenue are looking for affordable prices and opportunity offer to meet their needs. Among the celebrities “Pacas” Second -hand clothing stores, Chinese businesses with lower price products are some of the attractions of which they decide to visit it.
On the avenue, electronic stores of cell phones, speakers, hair and extensions, as well as repair businesses, also prevail.
