More than a month after the fire at the Multicomercio complex in Ecuador, commercial activities in the surrounding streets are attempting to revitalize as of March 18. The fire, which erupted on February 11, led to a complete blockage of vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the area, causing significant disruption to businesses. Merchants are now keen to get back to work, with shop owners arriving to clean and prepare their storefronts, hoping that the reopening will attract foot traffic.

On March 18, merchants were notified that pedestrian access had been restored, allowing customers to walk through the area once again. While this partial reopening is a positive step, vehicle access remains restricted due to ongoing safety concerns, with major roads around the site still cordoned off with metal barriers and zinc sheets. This limited access means that while footfall may pick up, the full recovery of businesses around Multicomercio will take time.

The reopening of the area is particularly important for the local economy, which has suffered due to the months-long closure after the fire. Local vendors and shop owners are feeling hopeful that with the return of pedestrian traffic, they can begin to bounce back from the financial losses incurred during the crisis. However, challenges remain, and a complete restoration of normalcy will require further developments and infrastructure restoration in the affected area.