Keith Woolford Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 (edited) The new Mercado Publico in downtown Boquete has beautiful fruits and vegetables at better prices than the grocery stores. It's maintained clean and spotless, and there's also a seafood supplier upstairs. A question for other residents. Why is it that I rarely, if ever, see any expats there? Edited July 16, 2017 by Keith Woolford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcelyn Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 My answer: parking is a problem. I've noticed the same vehicles parked in the available spaces every day........and perhaps all day every day. Humm....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted July 16, 2017 Author Share Posted July 16, 2017 (edited) Although I agree that some spaces seem permanently occupied, I always manage to find a spot to park or I wouldn't be going there. For the first time ever, I'm seeing empty spaces in front of ROMERO Edited July 16, 2017 by Keith Woolford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 (edited) I have found the parking in the vicinity of the mercado and Romero to have improved significantly since the opening of the new Deli Baru and onset of the rainy season. I agree with Marcelyn though about business owners taking up parking spaces that should be reserved for customers. It's the same at restaurants where parking is at a premium. All that aside, I've observed quite a number of expats shopping at the mercado publico. Some people may be overwhelmed by the number of vendors, however, and others prefer one-stop food shopping in the grocery stores. To me, the fruits and vegetables at the mercado appear to be much fresher and more appealing, as well as less expensive. Edited July 16, 2017 by Bonnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siempre Soluciones Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 Keith, You're not going when I am because I always see expats there. It's just a timing thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyS Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 35 minutes ago, Marcelyn said: My answer: parking is a problem. I've noticed the same vehicles parked in the available spaces every day........and perhaps all day every day. Humm....... I notice the same at Los Establos. I think the employees take up most of the parking spaces. They don't seem to realize this discourages potential shoppers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAndNena Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 Two of the best things about mercado: Practicing Spanish, and negotiating a price. It is sometimes a great way to make friends and save money. Bigger purchases usually get a better break on pricing so if you go with a friend and buy double the amount, it is a deal. If you go with a Panamanian friend, you can guarantee a price between Panamanian prices and Expat prices. Win, win, win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hil Posted July 17, 2017 Share Posted July 17, 2017 I always see expats at the Mercado. We shop there three or four times a week. If the parking lot if full I usually make the block and pass again and find one open at Romeros or the Mercado. I have always found what we need at the Mercado cheaper and fresher than anywhere in town. The Mercado gets our business first and Romeros and Super Baru are second. We always support the little guy in Panama first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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