Heritage meets hip at Davao City’s Poblacion Market Central
Alsons Development and Investment Corp. (Alsons Dev) has formally launched Davao City’s newest shopping, dining and entertainment destination where heritage meets hip.
Situated along C. Bangoy, in the former location of Madrazo Fruit Stand, Poblacion Market Central is set right in the center of downtown Davao. This brand new commercial center is designed to carry on the best traditions of both the beloved Aldevinco Shopping Center and Madrazo Fruit Stand, while providing an upgraded and enhanced venue for the city’s thriving shopping, dining and art landscape.
“Poblacion offers an impressive and ever-evolving merchant mix of art, antiques and souvenir shops, restaurant concepts and convenience retailers,” said Cecile Dominguez-Yujuico, president of Conrado & Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation Inc., the social development arm of the Alcantara Group, of which Alsons Dev is also part.
“We are proud to introduce this new lifestyle destination as Davao opens its doors once again to visitors,” Yujuico added.
Davao City’s real estate pioneer, Alsons Dev first made its mark when it created Aldevinco Shopping Center in 1965. The city’s very first shopping complex became a household name among locals and tourists when it comes to shopping, thanks to its wide array of quality Mindanao products such as indigenous textiles, pearls and antiques.
“It’s safe to say that every person who has ever visited Davao City made at least one trip to Aldevinco to shop for items that would remind them of their trip to Davao,” recalled Yujuico. “We quietly closed the doors of Aldevinco Shopping Center in December 2021. But as we like to say: when one door closes, a new one opens.”
The premier property developer first opened the multilevel 3,892-sqm Poblacion Market Central in late 2021 when it hosted over 300 artists from more than 30 galleries and art groups during the Mindanao Art Fair in October. It also held “Pasko sa Poblacion,” a month-long Christmas bazaar which featured local merchants and creatives. Both events allowed Alsons Dev to showcase Mindanao’s artistry and rich cultural heritage.
Alsons Dev takes pride in Aldevinco and values its long-standing tenants who continue to promote Mindanao art and culture through their merchandise. According to Yujuico, the company ensured that its Aldevinco tenants could freely move and reopen their businesses at Poblacion.
“We are also proud of the fact that some of Poblacion’s merchants are third-generation entrepreneurs, whose grandparents started their journey with us at Aldevinco,” disclosed Yujuico. “We are grateful that we are able to continue on as their partners in showcasing the best of Davao and Mindanao here in Poblacion.”
Less than a year since it first opened its doors, Poblacion Market Central now houses over 70 merchants, with more coming in the next four months, in time for the holidays. There’s something for everyone at this new shopping and lifestyle hub, whether you’re a Davaoeno or a visitor of the city who’s in search of local delicacies to sample or looking to bring home beautifully made local accessories or textiles.
Beyond shopping, Alsons Dev aims to enhance and elevate one’s Poblacion’s experience by offering dining, art exhibits, monthly themed events and essential services within arm’s reach.
Those whose itinerary is a gastronomic trip would find delight in Kukun, which is short for Kusina at Kultura ng Dabaw. Here, visitors can have their fill of Persian food by Majid’s Kabab, grilled favorites by Yassi’s Siargao BBQ, lechon meals by Porky Best, and bento boxes by Claribel, just to name a few.
Poblacion’s newly opened food hall also offers fresh produce courtesy of AMCG Farm, as well as refreshing fruit and milk teas by Hootsa, and mocktails and cocktails to kick off happy hour by Myami Vyce Resto Bar. There’s also coffeehouse chain Bo’s Coffee, serving its single-origin beans from across the Philippines, to perk you up after a round of shopping.
Promoting local artistry and Mindanaoan culture, heritage and identity, Poblacion features the artworks of homegrown creatives. At the atrium area, a rich and vibrant sarimanok-inspired mural by contemporary artist Kublai Millan welcomes shoppers. Over at Kukun are okir wood carvings by Maranao artisans and murals featuring regional fruits, done by Davaobased artists Ghamar Kanda and Makro Aquino.
There’s also an art gallery which regularly exhibits the works of talented Mindanaoans from all over the region.
“We have always envisioned Poblacion Market Central as a celebration of the city’s promising art, retail, and food scene, and we are happy to see how it’s shaping up to be just that with the city’s support and with the help of our valued partners,” said Alsons Dev assistant general manager Jolla Soriaga.
More stores are expected to open in the coming months. Hey Monday! Deli is set to open this August while BDO’s main branch in Davao City is scheduled to transfer here in September.