Mérida, Yucatán — When the Chedraui chain first opened here in 1989, the supermarket monopoly held by Súper Maz and Súper San Francisco de Asís was shattered.
Since then, the brand continued its expansion, including the swanky new Chedraui Selecto in Monterreal last November. Today there are eight Chedruai branches in Mérida.
But after Friday, that number is cut to seven. That original Chedraui, which anchors the Plaza Crystal on the Paseo de Montejo, will be shuttered.
The Plaza Crystal board of directors confirmed the news Monday. The rest of the mall will continue operations as usual, from 9 am to 10 p.m.
Although unimpressive by today’s standards, the Plaza Crystal Chedraui was a big deal in 1989, pushing investment further north of the city. The much larger Gran Plaza Fashion Mall, five kilometers up the road, began construction in 1992. More supermarkets, including big box stores from the U.S., have proliferated in Mérida in the years since.
The Plaza Crystal store also increased property values in nearby Itzimná, Alcalá Martín and part of Buenavista, Diario de Yucatán notes.
Other services remain at Plaza Crystal, which is next to the Monumento a la Patria. State, municipal and CFE business can be conducted in their branch offices, in addition to locksmithing, watch repair, beauty supplies and travel services. A photo studio, religious supply shop and footwear retailer also remain.
Founded in Veracruz in 1920, Chedraui entered the supermarket business in 1970 and has grown to become Mexico’s third-largest retailer, according to Hoover’s.
