The ice cream shop Coppelia de Matanzas will open its doors in the coming days after a renovation process that included new furniture and a replenishment of ice cream flavors, as reported by the official media TV Yumurí following an investment review conducted by the political and government authorities of the region.
Mipyme Artis is the company responsible for the investment in a framework that has become the predominant model for rescuing these establishments in Cuba: the alliance between the State and small and medium private enterprises.
The announcement comes after a recent history of precarious closures and reopenings at that location. The establishment had closed in September 2024 due to leaks and electrical deterioration, and when it resumed operations in January 2025, it did so at reduced capacity and with a limited offering of just one flavor.
In July of this year, it was also reported that the opening of a private ice cream shop within the same establishment had been postponed indefinitely.
The announced reopening will be the first with a complete renovation of the space. According to the state media, "with the refurbishment of the unit, the change of furniture, and the anticipated selection of ice creams, Coppelia yumurino will reopen its doors in just a few days."
Next to Coppelia, Mipyme Artis is also making progress on the renovation of the Velasco theater-cinema, another cultural landmark of the city. The venue now features a new video projector, repaired seating, and renewed decor and lighting.
The only obstacle remaining is the installation of an electrical transformer, after which it will reopen with films, short films, and various cultural activities.
The context in Matanzas surrounding ice cream parlors has been particularly tense in recent months. In July, the announcement of the imminent closure of Sodería del Medio—popularly known as the “Coppelia of Calle del Medio”—triggered widespread citizen outrage.
This establishment was one of the few places where ice cream was sold for 50 pesos a scoop, and the decision to lease the premises to a private individual for the installation of street vendor stalls was met with harsh criticism.
The reopening of the Coppelia in Matanzas is part of a trend that has spread across several provinces throughout 2026.
The one in Sancti Spíritus started operating again in June with scoops at 125 pesos; the one in Trinidad reopened in July thanks to a photovoltaic module financed by private investors, with scoops at 80 pesos; and a family-run micro and small enterprise took over the management of the Coppelia in Nueva Gerona, on the Isle of Youth.
What has yet to be specified is the price at which ice cream will be sold at the Coppelia in Matanzas once it reopens, a detail that will largely determine whether the reopening represents a real relief for the wallets of the people in Matanzas or becomes another option out of reach for most.
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