The reopening of the El Baturro Tavern, one of the culinary landmarks in the eastern city of Las Tunas, reflects the changes taking place in the local economic landscape, as more and more state-owned and private companies are partnering to revitalize production and services. Now operated by the private company RestoBar Fortuna and the state-owned non-hotel entity Palmares, the establishment is committed to making excellence its hallmark.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- Talía de la Caridad Nápoles Ruz, head of RestoBar Fortuna, expressed her satisfaction with the challenge she has taken on and highlighted the support she has received from her team, her husband, and her family. “With desire, with enthusiasm—we never tire,” she emphasized. Regarding what the venue has to offer, she revealed that the tapas bar will feature a variety of drinks, cocktails, draft beer, and cheese, as well as a pool table. “Everyone is invited to come,” she said.
The entrepreneur described the experience as satisfying. “We’re moving forward with open arms. That’s what it takes to see if we can get Las Tunas back on its feet,” she concluded.
For his part, Roberto Sánchez Leyva, director of the extra-hotel Palmares Las Tunas branch, explained that the process of partnering with non-state economic actors began in January, at the direction of the parent company.
"El Baturro" is reborn under shared management. He noted that RestoBar Fortuna was one of the first economic actors they met with, and talks began in March. “It was at the end of May that the parent company gave us the authority to sign this type of contract. And we’ve already finalized it,” he added.
The executive acknowledged that the shortage of supplies was so severe that many facilities were closed. “Thanks to this type of contract, we now have seven facilities operating stably,” he stated.
The executive considered this type of contract a guarantee for Palmares. “As long as we know how to do it right—as long as that partnership, that mix of state and non-state management with its own mechanisms, methods, and worldview—we’ve managed to integrate them into our work system, our control system, and our stable operations, and that’s what we want,” he said.
Palmares, he maintained, will continue to be a non-hotel chain, and with this partnership—along with the new transformations the country demands and the call from the authorities—the potential is promising. The reopening of El Baturro is just one example of how collaboration between the state and private sectors can restore vitality to the dining services in Las Tunas, he said.
