The Port of the Cruz has always been a municipality of contrasts where tradition coexists with modernity and visitors mingle with those who have lived there their entire lives. However, in recent years, many locals feel that this balance has dangerously tilted towards tourism and business, leaving less space for local life.
The constant rise in prices and the massive influx of tourists have caused many spots to lose their essence or even disappear altogether. The announcement of the closure of all Columbus Group establishments has been a harsh blow.
The Café de París, located on Avenida de Colón, Gelato El Pingüino, and Columbus Plaza in the Plaza del Charco were witnesses to the passage of generations. Although it was still in operation last Monday, 28th July, Columbus Plaza was the last to close its doors.
Closure of an Era
For Adela Martínez, this situation is “very sad” as she believes that her best memories are in some of these venues and feels that with their closure, all the lovely stories she has experienced there also vanish. For instance, she remembers going to the Café de París with her grandfather to have tea and German chocolate biscuits, and to Gelato El Pingüino, one of the first ice cream places alongside the now-defunct Pastry Crisna, to have ice cream whenever they strolled through Plaza del Charco.
For the locals, the void left by these places is, in a way, the closure of an era. Of them all, the hardest blow is the Café de París. For decades, it was a meeting place for tourists and residents alike. Although in recent years, it lost some of its original character—especially after decor changes that stripped it of its Parisian ambiance and traditional patisserie— it remained an emblem of the Avenue.
Café de París was linked with the Valle Mar Hotel and, in its early days, was the preferred spot for the youth of the area. Carmen González, a 96-year-old resident, holds dear memories of the place. “We started going in the 50s, my sisters, friends, and I. We were called the golden girls,” she says with a smile. For her, the closure is a “great loss.”
Rises in Prices and Tourism
The Columbus Group has been a family business, passed down through generations. González believes the reason for the closure lies precisely there: “It may be that the children do not want to continue with the business.” Along with Café de París, the Gelato El Pingüino and Columbus Plaza will also disappear, frequented by locals and visitors seeking a coffee or drink in the evening. “El Pingüino is a place for life, and its closure is not just a commercial loss; it’s part of an erasure of identity,” she laments.
Abigail Mederos, also a resident of the port, shares this feeling of loss. “We live less for ourselves and more for another type of person”, she asserts. For many locals, these closures reflect a deeper transformation affecting how they inhabit the area. What was once a friendly space for neighbours has become a more expensive and foreign showcase.
Not everyone shares the same opinion about the Café de París. Some remember it fondly, while others assert they never visited because they considered it a “posh” place, with prices not accessible for residents. Nevertheless, the closure has sparked a wave of comments and speculation.
No one knows for certain what has happened, but theories quickly circulate: debts, family disagreements, lack of profitability, or even that it may be an “announced death” leading to a reopening with a completely new concept aimed at tourists.
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