Misery of Jogja's Sentul Market Traders: Two Years After Renovation, Buyers Stay Away

Traders at Sentul Market in Pakualaman, Yogyakarta, are complaining of a severe lack of customers, even two years after the market’s total renovation.

Chicken vendor Wakinem stated that since returning to Sentul Market, her income has not improved. She noted that business was far better during the year she spent at the temporary relocation site in Batikan Market. “For two years, more traders have been complaining than not. Many have stopped selling here because there are no sales. Many have already left,” Wakinem told detikJogja at her stall on Monday (3/8/2026).

She added that some traders refused to return from the temporary site and chose to stay there. “Customers say it’s more convenient there because they don’t have to climb stairs and it’s close. Here it’s a bit far and you have to go up,” she continued. Without disclosing exact figures, Wakinem admitted her turnover has plummeted. She now relies solely on selling cut chicken due to restrictions on selling areas, whereas previously she also sold fresh fruit at the same stall. “The drop is drastic, it’s collapsed. I used to sell 70 kg, now on a busy day I sell 20 kg, and sometimes it doesn’t sell out. My helper has to go around offering it to other traders; if 10 kg sells, we’re grateful,” she revealed.

The situation has worsened with the emergence of roadside chicken sellers. With Sentul Market already flanked by other markets like Beringharjo and Lempuyangan, Wakinem says these street vendors are capturing all the customers. “Now no one comes inside; they all buy from the roadside. It’s convenient for them—easy, no parking, cheap,” she explained.

An even worse fate has befallen culinary traders on the third floor. Ponijo, a beef soup vendor, claimed that 80 percent of culinary traders have chosen to close their stalls due to the extreme lack of visitors in the food court. “My stall serves the traders from the first and second floors. If I didn’t serve them, I’d be bankrupt and closed too,” he said.

Ponijo added that besides the third-floor location, the new building’s construction fails to expose the food court area, so most people are unaware it exists. “There is no direct access to the main road, so it’s not visible from the street that there is a food court here. It’s not like Kranggan or Prawirotaman,” he said. He urged the management to organise events to attract visitors. “Please hold events, painting competitions, gymnastics, karaoke contests, bird singing competitions, anything that involves eating,” he pleaded.