The downtown revitalization project in Juarez aims at remodeling everything between the Avenida Vicente Guerrero and the cathedral. In between is one of the most traditional bars in Juarez. It is now at risk of closing its doors forever.
El Arbolito opened in 1945, before the Mariscal was known for prostitution and illegal drugs. Since then, El Arbolito has become a historic site for locals and tourists. Now people call it “los chuchos” since its owner Juan Francisco Calderon, better known as Panchito, was the creator of the famous drink with sotol, tequila and chuchupaste, a herb used for many medicinal purposes with a peculiar flavor.
Panchito passed away three years ago. Sergio Calderon Chacon, his son, is now in charge. He says many things have changed, but the essence of the bar is still the same.
“My father created a tradition of having calm customers, of making this place an alternative for the bohemian crowd. We may lose this tradition very soon,” Sergio says.
Three months ago, Sergio received a call from a lawyer representing the city. He was told that his bar was in the way of the revitalization project. He was offered a small sum of money for the bar, which does not compare to the actual worth of the land. The city plans to demolish the bar and construct parks, monuments and open new businesses.
“I’ve been getting many calls pressuring me to take the deal. Many of the bars around have given in. I’m willing to cooperate but I won’t give in so easily. They need to consider the tradition of this place and that three families make a living off of this bar,” Sergio says.
El Arbolito is now the only bar standing in the Mariscal since the revitalization plan for downtown began this year. The rest of the businesses left are strip clubs and brothels. Sergio says that in the past months, he has received several unjustified fines. He claims it’s something new every time: for having a door locked, for having it open, for allowing people to smoke before it was prohibited and for allegedly having more than 40 people inside, which is more than the bar’s capacity.
“I can’t keep up with so many fines, it’s unfair, especially since our clientele has been on the decline because of the violence,” Sergio says.
Sergio believes that the city should have other priorities and cherish the good places it already has.
“They want to get rid of El Arbolito to remodel the area and attract tourism. What tourism? They should fix the violence first and allow traditional places like this one to be part of the attraction,” Sergio says.
In the more than sixty years of the history of El Arbolito, several Mexican celebrities like El Charro Avitia, called the king of el corrido, and many people from different countries have visited. Several international magazines have featured it as a unique place to visit in Juarez.
“This place is old but it has its charm. The wooden bar is crooked because we got flooded several years ago and it acquired the unique shape. We don’t play music, people come in with their guitars, organs or violins and the customers sing along,” Sergio says.
The office of tourism in Juarez states that the downtown revitalization project is underway in several stages. One spokesperson, Tania Cervantes, states they are in the process of buying lots, houses and buildings downtown.
The only visible change, she says, is the new module on the Santa Fe Bridge that opened up as a center for tourist information.
The plan also includes paving the streets downtown and remodeling the Mercado Juarez among other changes.
Sergio claims there is even a plan to get rid of the Gimnasio Neri Santos famously known for housing all of the lucha libre matches that take place in the city.
Cervantes did not confirm nor deny this claim; she was hesitant to give more information about the plan stating that the supervisor of the project, the lawyer Julio Cortez is the one with all the details and was out of the office.
Long time customers hope a solution can be found and that they don’t have to lose their favorite bar.
Outside of El Arbolito, there is a distinctive graffiti sticker in English that says: ‘We get fucked everyday by someone.” Sergio says it has been there for years. “It’s true, for those who allow it,” he says.
