San Juan Mayor Miguel A. Romero Lugo announced the launch of "Mercado San Juan Online," a new municipal initiative allowing small and medium-sized San Juan businesses to develop their own online stores. The program, part of the Explora San Juan digital ecosystem, aims to help merchants who currently rely mainly on in-person sales expand their online presence and reach new customers.
Participating businesses will receive a virtual store equipped to accept electronic payments, manage inventory, and coordinate shipping, plus training and technical assistance for digital marketing, inventory management, and customer service. Romero Lugo said the goal is to give merchants tools to grow, innovate, and compete, and to help them reach consumers inside and outside Puerto Rico. In this first phase, the Municipality will select 20 businesses.
Interested merchants can apply through Explora San Juan at explorasanjuan.com until October 31, 2026. Eligible applicants include businesses established in San Juan, merchants who reside in the capital, and businesses in the process of setting up operations there. Applicants must meet requirements related to permits, municipal licenses, and tax obligations as part of the evaluation and selection process.