Santo Domingo Oeste flea market faces economic decline

The flea market in Santo Domingo Oeste, located at Merca Santo Domingo in the Pedro Brand area, is facing significant economic challenges. Vendors report that the market's vitality is declining due to its remote location and the increasing competition from online platforms like Amazon and Facebook Marketplace, as well as low-cost Chinese importers.

Merchants note that the relocation to the kilometer 22 area of the Autopista Duarte has made access difficult for customers living in Santo Domingo Este or Boca Chica. The added costs of transportation and the time required to travel to the site are deterring buyers, threatening the livelihoods of the thousands of entrepreneurs who rely on this informal commercial network.