The Cuba of 1958 had a very strong economy. The currency was equal to the dollar due to the unprecedented success of private enterprise and without a single governmental entity interfering. Transportation, services and every segment of production in the island was established with private investment.

Chapter VI of the 1940 Cuban Constitution gave the labor force fair working conditions that had no equal in any country at the time. These labor laws assured job permanence to the worker which resulted in better productivity for the employer’s benefit.

During this period, there was an internationally famous Cuban enterprise that, since its establishment during the spring of 1888, introduced a new concept in labor and management relations. This concept allowed employees to have an equitable participation in the corporation profits and an unusual relationship not only of stimulus but of mutual respect and courtesy that the employees enjoyed and shared with their customers.

That relationship was so strong and exquisite that after more than half a century of the corporation’s disappearance their employees-in- exile continue to gather in a non-profit organization.

The employees keep in touch with each other in different cities and countries, and once a year they have a luncheon remembrance and join with families and former customers.

El Encanto Department Stores of Cuba was an icon of the Cuban private enterprise for 72 glorious years.

It helped the economy of a young republic progress and elevated the standard of living of their residents higher than the majority of the Western Hemisphere countries.

Cubans are proud of El Encanto and their former employees will remember the beautiful times of their youth when they worked for that marvelous corporation that they are yearning for every day and will always revere.

Julian Darío Miyares, Miami