Historic Cafetería Molina to Close Over Bureaucratic Struggles in La Laguna

San Cristóbal de La Laguna is losing another long-standing business, highlighting the growing administrative burden placed on small shop owners in the historic center. Cafetería Molina recently announced it is for sale, but the owners emphasize that this is not due to financial failure or retirement. Instead, they are closing because they are exhausted by constant pressure from local authorities and the daily struggle of running the business.

After nearly 30 years under the same ownership, the management wants to clear up rumors: the closure is not a result of a financial crisis or a lack of interest from the next generation. Rather, it is the culmination of a decade of friction with the local council.

The conflict centers on the management of the café's exterior. The owners claim they have faced constant pushback regarding their historic signage and terrace operations. Despite investing in technical reports and projects to meet city regulations, they say their requests were consistently rejected—a situation they feel is unfair compared to the leniency shown to other businesses nearby.

This case highlights a common struggle in protected historic areas: the difficulty of balancing heritage preservation with the needs of local businesses. Beyond taxes and rising costs, the owners point to a bureaucratic environment that has made it impossible to continue their 29-year-old business.

Cafetería Molina will remain open for now, continuing its usual hours from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, while the owners look for a buyer for the establishment that has become a symbol of the fight against administrative red tape.