Pasar Santa Fades as Blok M Revives: The Issues Driving Visitors Away
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Pasar Santa in South Jakarta is no longer as bustling as it once was. While the Blok M area is reviving and becoming a new magnet for young people, the pulse of Pasar Santa is slowing down.
Behind this change, traders see a “hidden problem” that is gradually driving visitors away—not just a matter of trends, but changes in how people enjoy space and time.
Fathan (27), owner of a coffee stall on the second floor who has been selling since 2016, still remembers the time when Pasar Santa was at the peak of its glory as a creative hub for young people.
“Back then, it could be called the golden era. Daily turnover could reach Rp 2 million to Rp 3 million, even more if there were events or long weekends,” said Fathan when met by Kompas.com on Tuesday (21/4/2026).
“Now the daily average is Rp 500,000 to Rp 1 million. Sometimes it can be below that if weekdays are quiet,” he said.
According to Fathan, the problem is not as simple as the number of visitors decreasing. He sees a shift in patterns of arriving and staying in the space.
“Now people come quicker, they don’t sit for long. So the turnover is different too. Back then they could hang out for a long time, now it’s quick come, quick go,” he explained.
He assesses that Pasar Santa is starting to lose its main appeal when the city offers too many alternatives that are more modern and consistent in concept.
“Now there are many choices, standalone coffee shops, new malls, places that are tidier, more comfortable, with more consistent branding,” he said.
In addition, he sees that Pasar Santa’s identity, which was once strong, is now increasingly blurred. Tenants that were once curated with a clear concept now feel mixed up.
He also touched on the role of social media, which once elevated Pasar Santa but now makes trends shift quickly.
“Back then the virality was strong. Now virality moves around. There’s a new place, everyone moves there,” he said.
Theo (28), a thrift trader who opened a stall since 2017, feels the same. He says the decline happened gradually but consistently.
“Back then I could get Rp 800,000 to Rp 1.5 million a day, especially on weekends,” said Theo.
Now, his turnover has dropped significantly.
“Now sometimes Rp 200,000 to Rp 400,000 a day is already good. Even once it was just over Rp 100,000,” he said.
According to Theo, changes in shopping behaviour are one of the major factors. Thrift shopping that once relied on the direct hunting experience has now largely shifted to digital platforms.
“Now thrift is also widely available online. So people don’t need to come in person. They just scroll, choose, pay,” he said.