A recently uploaded Facebook video reveals the dilapidated state of the once-vibrant Ekloh store, located on 42nd Street in Miramar, Havana. The closed and abandoned building has stirred feelings of nostalgia and regret among Cubans who fondly recall its former glory.
Mayda Limia, the user who shared the video, showcases the structure at the crossroads of 39A and 42 streets in the Playa municipality of Havana.
"Reporting from the scene. They asked me to check out Ekloh, and here it is, shuttered," Limia comments as she walks through the area, capturing the neglected state of the property.
Reactions to the footage express a shared sense of loss among viewers: "It was a wonder," reminisced one Cuban, recalling the store's heyday.
The Legacy of Ekloh: A Modern Retail Pioneer
Ekloh was part of the most cutting-edge supermarket chains during republican Cuba. It was initially established by a German pharmacist named Eklöh and was later purchased in 1957 by Panamanian businessman David H. Brandon Maduro, who also owned Minimax Supermarkets.
Together, Ekloh and Minimax created Cuba's first modern retail network, comprising 11 stores. The flagship location of Ekloh was situated precisely at 42nd Street #3910 in the Almendares district of Miramar. This is the same building now seen closed in the video.
The chain was groundbreaking, introducing climate-controlled self-service, shopping carts, imported goods, and the acceptance of credit cards, mirroring U.S. supermarkets and competing with the traditional local bodegas of the era.
Impact of Revolution: Confiscation and Decline
The Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro resulted in the confiscation of Ekloh and Minimax between 1960 and 1962, during a wave of mass nationalization of private businesses without any compensation. Brandon eventually emigrated to the United States, where he passed away in Miami Beach at the age of over 90 years.
Ekloh's neglect is not an isolated incident; it reflects a widespread trend of commercial decay in Havana. For instance, the Vedado's Galerías Paseo has been in a state of disrepair since at least 2024, and the remnants of the former RCA Víctor store were demolished that same year, erasing another historic commercial landmark from the capital.
Earlier this year, actor Ray Cruz criticized the condition of the Carlos III Shopping Center, describing it as "empty, with just a few kids on a couple of rides."
The combination of economic crisis, product shortages, forced dollarization in commerce, and the Cuban state's structural neglect explain the collapse of Havana's commercial infrastructure. This decline starkly contrasts with the cherished memories of what these stores symbolized for past Cuban generations.
Understanding the Decline of Havana's Commercial Sector
What factors contributed to the abandonment of Ekloh?
The abandonment of Ekloh is part of a broader pattern of commercial deterioration in Havana, driven by economic crisis, product shortages, forced dollarization, and structural neglect by the Cuban government.
Who originally founded Ekloh, and who later acquired it?
Ekloh was initially founded by a German pharmacist named Eklöh and was later acquired by Panamanian businessman David H. Brandon Maduro in 1957.
How did Ekloh innovate in the Cuban retail market?
Ekloh was a pioneer in introducing climate-controlled self-service, shopping carts, imported goods, and credit card acceptance, similar to U.S. supermarkets at the time.
What happened to Ekloh and Minimax after the Cuban Revolution?
Following the Cuban Revolution, Ekloh and Minimax were confiscated by Fidel Castro's government between 1960 and 1962 as part of a mass nationalization of private enterprises, with no compensation provided.