A New Beginning for Vendors in Jalan Batanghari: The Rise of an Unexpected UMKM Hub

Over the past five months, Jalan Batanghari, located in Pandean Sub-district, Taman District, Madiun City, has become increasingly lively due to the presence of coffee and food vendors. Once a quiet and rarely visited area, it has now transformed into a new gathering spot for the community. The arrival of these vendors has brought a fresh atmosphere, along with challenges in managing the area properly.

To learn more about this development, our editorial team interviewed one of the coffee shop owners operating in the area, Trisa.

Trisa shared that she had only been selling in the area for the past five months. Although relatively new, she has already noticed the positive impact since more vendors began utilizing the space.

"Before the vendors came, Jalan Batanghari felt dead. Even after it was cleaned up by the government, it became even quieter. But when people started selling here, it brought the area to life. The local residents also responded quite positively," she said.

This change has had a significant social impact. Jalan Batanghari is now more vibrant, offering a variety of culinary choices. However, the growing number of visitors has also brought challenges, such as limited parking space and traffic congestion around the area.

"When more vendors come, yes, it gets livelier and attracts more people. But the parking space becomes tight, and traffic jams happen more often. It's a bit troublesome," she added.

When asked about the area's potential as a culinary center, Trisa explained that they initially chose the location because it was peaceful and comfortable. However, as the number of vendors continues to grow, issues like parking and visitor comfort are becoming more noticeable.

"If the government wants to turn this place into a culinary hub, there's nothing we can do. But it would be better if proper facilities were provided for the vendors," she said.

She also hopes the government will provide supporting infrastructure, such as adequate parking space and semi-permanent stalls, to prevent the area from looking rundown. Proper urban planning is believed to help maintain both the aesthetics and comfort of this increasingly vibrant location.