Just a few kilometers to the west of downtown Santiago de los Caballeros, there is a very popular Flea Market, open on Thursdays, that is visited by thousands and reports sales of about RD$40 million.
The market, now located just off the Joaquin Balaguer highway in the sector of El Ingenio, used to be located in the market area of Pueblo Nuevo, along J. Armando Bermudez street, but under the rule of former Mayor Abel Martinez, it was removed to its present location in 2017.
Today thousands persons from all walks of life flock to the flea market to look for bargains. The market has nothing to do with the city government, and the shop owners pay their dues and taxes. They are led by Luis Alberto Jimenez, a.k.a. Boso, who told reporters that what makes this market unique is the fact that most of the stalls are owned by Haitian nationals, who are legal residents, and most of the customers are Dominicans and other foreign nationals, some tourists and some people just curious.
The association that brings the merchants together is legally constituted, and the entire site is managed with an eye towards cleanliness and safety.
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Listin Diario
17 February 2025