Cuban YouTuber Disappointed After Visit to New 3rd and 70 Supermarket

Rosy Wanderlust, a well-known Cuban YouTuber, recently visited the newly opened Supermarket 3rd and 70 in Miramar, Playa, expecting to find a wide array of products. However, she expressed her disappointment, noting that the store fell short of being the Walmart-like experience she had been told to expect.

In a video shared on her YouTube channel, Rosy offered her critiques and thoughts on the supermarket, which operates exclusively in U.S. dollars and caters to those with financial resources or foreign aid. She began her account by discussing the time it took to reach the supermarket, situated in one of Havana's most upscale areas. "They couldn't open this market in the middle of Cerro; it had to be in Playa," she remarked sarcastically, highlighting the contrast between the store's location and the economic reality of most Cubans.

Upon arrival, Rosy noted the large number of people present despite the late hour and the impending closing time of the store. "For those who say there are no dollars in Cuba, just look at the crowd here," she observed.

Inside, the YouTuber scrutinized the available products and pointed out the limited variety offered by the supermarket. According to her observations, there was only one type of each item—from toilet paper and detergents to cleaners and sodas—leading her to unfavorably compare the store to Walmart, describing it as akin to typical MLC stores but with temporarily fuller shelves due to its recent opening.

While she did come across items not commonly found in other stores, such as apples and imported cleaning products, she criticized their inaccessibility to the average Cuban. Her comparison to the renowned American retailer was a central theme of her critique: "I was told this was like Walmart, and I feel deceived because it's nothing like that. There are no deals, no offers, no variety. It's the same as always, just new and priced in dollars," she stated with clear frustration.

Rosy also reflected on the prices relative to Cuban salaries: "The average Cuban earns 2,000 to 3,000 pesos a month, which is about 10 dollars. A package of detergent here costs five dollars, so what does that mean?" she questioned. For her, the store is out of reach for those without remittances or external financial support, something made evident by the many customers making video calls to relatives abroad to show the available products.

She further observed that customers were purchasing large quantities, swiftly clearing the shelves. "Let's see how long it stays stocked. It opened on December 30th and is already half-empty," she commented, predicting it would soon become just another store with the usual supply shortages.

In her video, Rosy also highlighted the long lines, not just for checkout but also for obtaining the new "Clásica" card, a recent initiative by the Cuban regime for shopping in these stores. "You have to come prepared. This is not Walmart or Costco; this is still Cuba," she emphasized, pointing out that many customers abandon the lines, leaving their carts behind due to the wait.

Upon leaving the supermarket, Rosy remarked on the MLC store located directly across the street, noting the differences in product quantity and variety, although she acknowledged that the prices there were somewhat more affordable. "This is still Cuba. Don't be confused or misled by the allure of something new," she cautioned.

Rosy's video, filled with reflections and critiques, has resonated with her followers and other social media users, who have also questioned the usefulness of such markets amid the profound economic crisis affecting the majority of Cubans.