It’s the end of an era in Coloane, as authorities announce the closure of the local produce market.
Facing Largo do Presidente António Ramalho Eanes, the Coloane Municipal Market was built in the late 19th century, but the departure of the last two fruit and vegetable stallholders some months ago means that the facility is now entirely untenanted.
In a statement, the Municipal Affairs Bureau (called the IAM after its Portuguese initials) says “Coloane Market will cease opening to the public from 16 December onwards.”
[See more: Four things you may not know about Macao’s iconic Red Market]
The bureau says it will launch a study on the “revitalisation and reutilisation” of the facility and will collect community feedback on what could be done with the structure.
Local authorities recently completed an overhaul of Macao’s famous 88-year-old Red Market, as the Almirante Lacerda Municipal Market is nicknamed. The structure of the iconic building has been fortified, walls and floor tiles have been replaced, and new facilities have been installed, including a large clock, air-conditioning system and better lighting, greatly improving conditions for some 130 food vendors.
However, it is unlikely that a revamped Coloane Market will be used for produce. The IAM says that a food market is no longer necessary in the locality due to the “development of Colane, the changes in the demographic structure of Coloane village and the consumption habits of the residents.”
