Deserted from visitors makes the traders in Tanah Abang Blok G Market, who previously sold clothes and bags, now shift selling food and beverage in their kiosks. This profession shifting is done to make ends meet and pay kiosk retribution which collected every day by the market management.

The buyers coming here are getting scarce every day. Instead of not getting income, I sell drinks like these. Although the profit is not much, it is enough to make ends meet

Ali Umar (38), a bags trader on Tanah Abang Blok G Market third floor, admitted had to do so because his merchandises were unsold. “The buyers coming here are getting scarce every day. Instead of not getting income, I sell drinks like these. Although the profit is not much, it is enough to make ends meet,” he uttered, Saturday (7/19).

Similar thing is also expressed by Yeni Ariyanti (30) who previously sold school uniforms on third floor. “Many kiosk owners have been given warning letter for leaving their kiosks empty. I don’t want that. Instead of leaving my kiosk empty, I choose to sell drinks,” she told.

Tanah Abang Blok G Market manager, Namen Suhandi, acknowledged has known about the fact that some kiosks on third floor being converted from clothes and bags kiosks into food and beverage kiosks. “Although in terms of designation those kiosks cannot be converted, we don’t have the heart to forbid them, especially because they need money during this fasting month,” he stated.

According to Suhandi, the food and beverage sold in the kiosks are only for temporary. The traders do it to prevent their kiosks from being closed down, like other kiosks around them. “They just want to survive, so their kiosks won’t be closed if being left,” he explained.