Shopkeepers in the heart of Ajijic were blindsided late last week when they discovered that a new construction project will put an Oxxo outlet practically at their doorsteps.
The convenience store will be located on the east side of Calle Morelos, between Ocampo and 16 de Septiembre. The site is next door to the Ajijic Real Estate office and across the street from Ajijic Tango.
A number of villagers have expressed outrage at what they consider to be the latest affront to conserving the town’s traditional architectural style. Others are dismayed at the negative impact the store will have on the few remaining mom-and-pop abarrotes shops in the neighborhood.
Another concern is that weekenders from Guadalajara will spend their pesos on junk food and alcoholic beverages to be consumed at the waterfront Malecón, which will cut into the restaurant trade, contribute to more noisy disorder and generate excess litter.
According to one local entrepreneur, the construction will purportedly go up several stories to include apartment units. The empty lot measures around 200 square meters, meaning there will be no space for off-street parking.
The chief of Chapala’s Urban Development Department confirmed that his office has issued a building permit, although a copy of the document is not displayed on the site.