Coppelia from Sancti Spíritus claims to be "renewed" following its partnership with a small and medium-sized enterprise

The Sancti Spíritus Municipal Assembly announced this week on Facebook that the local Coppelia has been renovated thanks to a cooperative alliance between the Municipal Gastronomy Company and a local mipyme, inviting citizens to visit the establishment and try their new offerings.

According to the official statement, the cooperation between both entities has allowed for "expanding the menu, improving the quality of the ice creams, and speeding up the service, without losing the tradition that identifies this emblematic place."

“The public-private partnership shows that by joining forces, we enhance the economy and provide more options for families to enjoy,” states the announcement from the municipal government.

The official optimism contrasts with the ongoing crisis that has plagued the Coppelia ice cream shops across Cuba since 2023.

The flagship establishment of Havana closed in November 2023 due to "no milk, no sugar", as stated by its own employees.

In September 2024, the Havana Coppelia closed again due to leaks and electrical deterioration, and when it reopened in January 2025, it did so with reduced capacity and only one flavor available.

In May 2025, customers who visited the capital establishment reported melted ice cream, a shortage of flavors, and prices of 300 Cuban pesos that did not match the menu offered.

The "cooperative production" model described in the announcement from Sancti Spíritus is not new on the Island. In Artemisa, the state food company signed contracts with private entities to produce artisanal ice cream using milk from a local cooperative, achieving a production rate of 84 kilograms per day.

At the national level, the Pa'Cuba festival in August 2025 showcased the extent of these partnerships: over 80% of the catering services came from the private sector managed by the state-owned Conex.

However, analysts warn that these alliances remain fragile. Institutional distrust, the currency gap, and the lack of appropriate legal frameworks for formal joint ventures in Cuba limit their real scope and long-term sustainability.

Coppelia is the most iconic state-run ice cream parlor chain in Cuba, with a presence in all provinces of the country.

Its flagship location in Havana, popularly known as "the cathedral of ice cream," was inaugurated on June 4, 1966 and initially offered 26 flavors and 25 combinations, with a capacity for more than a thousand customers at the same time.