Mercado de Medellín, Public market in Colonia Roma, Mexico.
Mercado de Medellín is a public market in Colonia Roma that spans one city block with numerous stalls. It offers fresh produce, flowers, packaged goods, and handcrafted furniture alongside specialty items from across Latin America.
The market is officially named Melchor Ocampo, after the liberal politician of Benito Juárez's era. It was long run by Jewish merchants, who left after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake; traders from other Latin American countries then moved in. By 2010, INEGI data showed Colombia as the fourth-largest source of immigrants to Mexico, and the market became a hub for Colombian goods.
The market is nicknamed "La Pequeña Habana" and its stalls hang flags of Colombia, Cuba and other Latin American countries. Vendors sell arepas, yuca, nata ice cream, Malta soda, Bucanero and Cristal beer, Juan Valdez and Sello Rojo coffee, arequipe, aguardiente antioqueño, Venezuelan Santa Teresa rum, Peruvian pisco and ají sauces. The official name Melchor Ocampo honors a liberal of Benito Juárez's era.
The market occupies the block of Medellín street in Colonia Roma Sur, with entrances from the surrounding streets. It is busiest on weekends, when shoppers come for imported goods and food stalls. Vendors are spread over two levels, so allow time to walk both floors.
The market's nickname, "La Pequeña Habana", comes from the Cuban presence, but the Colombian community is just as central: according to INEGI data from 2010, Colombia was the fourth country with the most immigrants in Mexico. Stalls sell arepas, panela-like arequipe, Malta barley soda, Bucanero and Cristal beers, and Antioquian aguardiente.
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