Where Will We Go? Tyumen's 1990s Market Braces for Demolition

Talks about demolishing the «Southern» market for a road (to widen Chaplyna Street) first began in autumn 2023. However, the dismantling of stalls and hangars never started. Two years later, the market has noticeably emptied: take a look, but it continued to operate.

Recently, the relevant department warned in writing the market management and tenants that they have two days to dismantle all structures. And then what? We found out from the sellers and management themselves. The versions diverge somewhat.

Quiet and Empty: What«s Happening at the Market Now

During the day on a regular weekday, it«s very empty here: besides us—only a few people. That»s inside the covered part of the market. Outside—a couple of stalls with all sorts of clothes and also fish. Sellers sigh sadly when they hear the question about the possible demolition of the market.

— «There won»t be a market closure for now. We«re here until April,» says a dark-haired woman and immediately cuts off the dialogue.

She pretends to go deeper into the trading container to sort goods. We headed to the warm pavilion: there«s still some life there, though very little.

— «I»m not really aware of the market demolition: we find out everything from the news. No notifications have come saying we need to move out urgently. We«ve been selling meat and sausages for 22 years, the last three of which—here, at »Southern.« Before that, we were at »Chervishevsky«: they moved us here from there. Regular customers now come to us here. Our prices are good, the products are good, everything is always fresh. If it were bad—would people buy?» — reasons the saleswoman.

She asks not to name her publicly: says it«s unnecessary. But she readily discusses the market»s fate. She believes in the best.

— «If they decide to demolish the market, I hope they give us time to sell off the remaining goods. And then… We»ll close, what can we do. I hope they provide us with a place somewhere at other markets. Otherwise, I don«t even know, there»s nowhere to go. I think our management will come up with something,« — reasons our interlocutor.

As she carefully arranges a fresh delivery of meat delicacies on the counter, several customers approach. Without hesitation, they say what and how much to weigh, pay, and go their way. We walk further along the corridors of the first floor.

Hellishly Heavy Display Cases and Loyal Customers

In one of the pavilions, they show and sell fish. Various, local catch—from the Nizhnetavdinsky district. From there as well—all sorts of herbs, jam. The main person in this space—Roman. He says many Tyumen residents know him: he traded at different markets over the years, and also participated in food fairs at the exhibition hall.

— «Rumors about the market demolition have been going since January 1. Recently, someone from the city administration came and posted notices on the street pavilions, saying they need to be removed within two days. The covered market seems to be left standing until May 1. If they force us to move from here, where will we go? And how? My display case here is non-disassemblable, it probably weighs half a ton (about 1,100 lbs). First, give us another place, and then do what you want,» — believes Roman Mikhailovich (as he calls himself).

The man laments that after moving to this market from the already vanished «Chervishevsky,» he lost some customers: not everyone finds it convenient to come here, to Chaplyna. About what will happen after another move, he prefers not to think for now.

— «Many don»t even want to come here: it«s far, difficult. And it»s the same with the «Kalininsky» market. We«ll see how things go further,» — he summarized.

In the neighboring pavilion, modest Meirkhan works. She herself bakes chebureki (fried turnovers), mini-pizzas, flatbreads, baursaks (fried dough balls), and khvorost (fried pastry twists). She also sells them herself. Her day starts at 5 a.m.: to manage everything.

— «Here, at »Southern,« I»ve been for two years: before that, I sold baked goods nearby on the street. There was a moment when I wanted to stop baking for sale, but customers started calling and saying: «Create a group [in a messenger] and write where and when to come—we»ll come, we«ll buy.» And I continued. My baked goods are tasty and inexpensive, so pensioners often buy, schoolchildren and students—too. Some buy chebureki six to eight pieces at once,« — she says with a smile.

Where to move when the market closes, she hasn«t decided yet. There are no plans or options so far.

Hazy Future of the Market: What «Southern» Management Says

In the deserted corridors of the market, we met the deputy market manager—Alexander Shestakov. He has been managing local markets for almost half his life. On the list—the outdoor «Central Market,» also—«Chervishevsky.» He was also at the origins of the «Eldorado» market, which appeared in the «90s at the intersection of Kharkovskaya and Melnikayte.

— «This [»Southern«] market was the last one left for me, and they»re taking it. People from the land department came the other day and said to remove everything within two days. How to do that? I«ll find another job without problems, but the people, the sellers, what about them? When they demolished the market »On Minskaya« back then, tenants were offered alternatives, same with »Chervishevsky,« but now they»re sending them nowhere. They demolished the «Europe» shopping center nearby, there«s a wasteland with weeds and unclear cars. And here there will be a wasteland,» — he predicts.

And he adds that markets will gradually disappear completely—in favor of supermarkets.

— «They dump prices, of course, their prices are lower there, but what quality? I went after New Year, so fruits—practically zero. Just scraps lying around, what is that?» — laments Alexander Shestakov.

As for the land department«s order, he entered into a dialogue with them, to give people time to calmly sell off goods and move out.

— «They seem to have given us a reprieve until April 30. But the car dealership was given time [to move] until Monday, now they»re dismantling. Our market will be demolished—a wide road will be built. And there will be eternal traffic jams. Definitely will be,« — summarized our interlocutor.

Urgent Banner Dismantling: Move Out in 48 Hours

Meanwhile, outside, employees of that very small used car salon are hastily dismantling and removing all their belongings: they were given very little time. And such a hasty eviction became a serious problem for them, though quite solvable.

— «We rent [space] from the »Southern« market, an official contract. And here comes the administration and says: »Everything is for demolition. We give you two days to move out.« That»s not how it«s done: usually they warn a month in advance. It»s possible to move out in this time, there are no other options. We«ve already found a new place—on Fedyuninskogo. The rent is even cheaper there, by the way,» — a representative of «Time-Auto» told us.

And added: over the years of their auto business existence, this will already be the eighth move.

— «Moving everything is not difficult. Hang new signs, order two manipulators—7,000 rubles each (about $78 at current rates). Plus, see, we»re dismantling everything ourselves. Thank God, at least it«s warm, and not -35 °C (-31 °F). We got lucky,» — the entrepreneur thoughtfully summarized.

A detailed analysis of the fate of Tyumen markets can always be found at this link. And here—nostalgic shots that might make you a little sad (we warned!).