Retailers Association

Founded on April 6, 1946, on the top floor of the Agricultural and Industrial Bank building at #418 Máximo Gómez Street (formerly Real Street), an association that grouped together those business in Güines that would sell retail to the public, such as markets, restaurants, bars, bakeries, pastry shops and many more.

It was an institution that although its principal reason of being was the protection and improvement of its members, raising the economic level of the same, it also recommended fair and adequate salaries for the businesses’ employees avoiding their exploitation and at the same time protected the consuming public guaranteeing the purity and wholesomeness of the products it would buy.

It kept a flurry of social and civic activities. It published its information magazine The Union being its editor, Güinero journalist Gerardo Alayón Labarga. It created a Bread Cooperative gathering the best bakers of Güines who were in charge of supplying high quality bread and flavorful crackers to businesses. It would commemorate every year Retailer’s Day, the second Sunday of the month of April, with patriotic acts and parades that were crowned with the placement of a floral wreath on the bust of our Apostle José Martí. It also celebrated a Gala Dinner every year, alternating one year at the Spanish Society Social Club and the next at Brage Yacht Club.

Finally, it commemorated every year on December 3, Physician's Day offering a cider honor toast to Güines doctors, also in the Spanish Society Social Club's salons.

With the arrival of Communism, the antithesis of the free enterprise and private property systems, the Retailers Association disappeared, when all businesses in Cuba and in Güines were confiscated without indemnification.

This organization left a trail of achievements and realizations in the retail business sector that had the effect of benefiting its members, but more than that, benefiting also the Villa of Güines and its people.

Translated by the staff of Círculo Güinero de Los Ángeles

Continue to: Rotary Club


			Retailers Association Founded on April 6, 1946, on the top floor of the Agricultural and Industrial Bank building at #418 Máximo Gómez Street (formerly Real Street), an association that grouped together those business in Güines that would sell retail to the public, such as markets, restaurants, bars, bakeries, pastry shops and many more. It was an institution that although its principal reason of being was the protection and improvement of its members, raising the economic level of the same, it also recommended fair and adequate salaries for the businesses’ employees avoiding their exploitation and at the same time protected the consuming public guaranteeing the purity and wholesomeness of the products it would buy. It kept a flurry of social and civic activities. It published its information magazine The Union being its editor, Güinero journalist Gerardo Alayón Labarga. It created a Bread Cooperative gathering the best bakers of Güines who were in charge of supplying high quality bread and flavorful crackers to businesses. It would commemorate every year Retailer’s Day, the second Sunday of the month of April, with patriotic acts and parades that were crowned with the placement of a floral wreath on the bust of our Apostle José Martí. It also celebrated a Gala Dinner every year, alternating one year at the Spanish Society Social Club and the next at Brage Yacht Club. Finally, it commemorated every year on December 3, Physician's Day offering a cider honor toast to Güines doctors, also in the Spanish Society Social Club's salons. With the arrival of Communism, the antithesis of the free enterprise and private property systems, the Retailers Association disappeared, when all businesses in Cuba and in Güines were confiscated without indemnification. This organization left a trail of achievements and realizations in the retail business sector that had the effect of benefiting its members, but more than that, benefiting also the Villa of Güines and its people. Translated by the staff of Círculo Güinero de Los Ángeles Continue to: Rotary Club