From the popular Ten Cents to a dollar store: This is what Casalinda looks like inside

The historic corner of Galiano where the iconic Ten Cents store once operated, and later housed the Trasval hardware store, reopened last Saturday as Casalinda, a store that is part of the growing commercial network in dollars on the island.

The Cuban YouTuber Andando con Jeny was one of the first to enter with her camera to document the interior of the establishment. According to her account on her channel, the store opened on the same day of her visit, and although the power went out shortly after the inauguration, she managed to walk through its aisles and showcase a wide range of products that include everything from candies and appliances to household items and pet supplies.

What is sold at Casalinda?

Jeny provides a detailed tour of the two levels of the store. On the ground floor, the following predominates:

• Imported foods and beverages, such as olives (365), ground meat and chicken chorizo (starting at 1.60), Nutella (15.35), barbecue sauce, wines, and vinegars.
• Confections and bakery products, including ice cream cones, cupcake liners, and decorating tips.
• Toiletries and cosmetics, from shampoos to hair dyes.
• Household items, such as jars, cutlery, kitchen timers, frying pans, curtains, and rugs.
• Pet supplies, such as beds, feeders, and food.

On the second floor, the YouTuber shows shelves with:

• Appliances and electronics, including juicers, lamps, clocks, mirrors, and telephones.
• Flat-pack furniture, such as shoe racks and fabric closets, some for as little as 65 dollars.
• Home decoration, with low-cost options but prices significantly higher than in similar European stores.

The store also retains the branding from its time as a pickup point for online orders from the website, indicating that Casalinda is expanding its model towards a physical presence while maintaining a connection to e-commerce.

At Casalinda, payment can only be made with MLC Cards (the well-known "azulitas"), International Cards, or cash in US Dollars.

However, state salaries continue to be paid in Cuban pesos, so access to these types of stores remains limited to a small portion of the population that receives remittances or earnings in foreign currency, which has generated criticism for its exclusionary nature.

The project Casalinda is driven by the Italian entrepreneur Bartolomeo “Beto” Savina Tito, through his firm Italsav, in partnership with Tiendas Caribe, a commercial network controlled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba.

This implies that the management of the business is indirectly under the conglomerate GAESA, one of the main economic arms of the Cuban regime, operating without transparency or institutional oversight.

With more than 10,000 imported products, Casalinda joins the network of MLC stores that have been replacing shops that accept Cuban pesos. For many residents of Havana, the transformation of the former Ten Cents, a symbol of popular and accessible commerce in past decades, into an exclusive foreign currency store represents a clear metaphor for the deepening economic inequality in the country.

The opening day: between excitement and blackouts

The YouTuber humorously recounted how, shortly after entering, the power went out and the audience began to be evacuated. Despite the store having a power generator, the employees were trying to close quickly, highlighting the logistical challenges even in foreign investment initiatives.

Even so, the public's curiosity was high, with lines forming early, people wandering through the aisles in amazement, and many simply "gossiping", as Jeny recounted with laughter, while showing prices that doubled or tripled those of similar products in Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Casalinda Store in Havana