Put in English, that’s little stores and restaurants. But, what do I mean by small?
The best description is “the size of the garage on a residential house”. Because, well, that’s what they were. A family might have a house with a garage but no car. They typical way these places “happen” is while dad is off at work, mom stays home — usually with the kids. So, she buys some extra food, puts a TV and a chair in the garage and starts a store. When I lived in Estelí Nicaragua there were four such places within a block of my house.
It is not uncommon to find prices pretty much equal to the supermarket in such places. This is possible because:
- The “rent” on the space for the business is zero
- The employee cost is zero
- Some of what is sold (tortillas, for example) are made there
- Many of what is sold there is bought from other locals (for example, limones from the lady across town with one or more lemon trees in her yard) or from where farmers sell their products
- Most such businesses are grey market — that is, they don’t pay any taxes
For you, the consumer, there are advantages as well including
- A short walk to buy what you need
- A chance to “shoot the breeze” with another local
- Possibly credit until the end of the month
A comedor can work in the same way, possibly with the help of a young daughter to help out.
Bottom line is that they are an important part of the local economy.