La Nueva: old meets new

There are a few good old stores that have withstood the test of time. Such is La Nueva, a landmark modest affair of a grocery store in Magallanes St. that sells merchandise at wholesale prices.

Unknown to many, La Nueva, which, in Spanish means “The New”, has already been in existence before the Second World War. It was called Tong Guan, a little store famous for selling imported goods. From the ashes of the war gave birth to this store, which has become the store, even up to this day, as evidenced by its shoppers – or – suki, if you please -, who come all the way from as far as Bantayan to the north and Santander to the south.

Whereas those from Bohol – or wherever is it that needs a boat to get to-, they just leave the exact amount of money for the bill of landing, and bingo, everything that they order, for as long as the store has it, is ready for shipment. But La Nueva is not only exclusive for the wholesalers, no.

Perhaps, the reason why people still patronize La Nueva is not only the prices but also the service they give to the customers. Owing to the demands of the shoppers, La Nueva is open on holidays, yes, even on Christmas day. But during Sundays, they’re just open half of the day.

La Nueva is contemplating on honoring major credits. A proof, indeed, that old meets new. But for the shopper on a shoestring, well, there is only one store for them: La Nueva – where salvation is renewed day by day.

- Orlando J. Cajegas