The Forgotten Street Trades of Guadeloupe in the 20th Century

Before supermarkets and electric ice cream machines, Guadeloupe thrived with a rhythm shaped by the voices of street vendors. These hardworking men and women brought flavor, utility and soul to daily life. Today, Café Créole pays tribute to these iconic island figures and the legacy they left behind.

Doughnut seller

Golden, warm and fragrant, beignets were more than just a sweet treat. They were part of every celebration, every Sunday stroll, every childhood memory. The vendors often carried baskets on their heads or walked with small carts, calling out in melodic Creole to draw in customers. Whether stuffed with guava jam or sprinkled with sugar, these beignets represented comfort and tradition.

The Corossol Merchant

The corossol (soursop), with its spiky green skin and custard-like flesh, was a prized fruit in Guadeloupe. Its vendors often came from the countryside, bringing freshly picked corossol to town in baskets or wooden crates. Used in juices, desserts or as a traditional remedy, this tropical fruit was beloved for both its taste and its medicinal properties.

The Sorbet Vendor

No electric freezers. No flashy branding. Just a hand-churned sorbet barrel, a towel on the shoulder and a chorus of "sorbet coco, sorbet corossol!" echoing through the streets. These vendors were magicians of flavor, crafting natural sorbets from coconut, soursop and lime with simple ingredients and lots of elbow grease. A true Caribbean refreshment before it became trendy.

The Scrap Metal Collector

Known as "le ferrailleur," this figure roamed neighborhoods with a cart or wheelbarrow, calling out for old metal objects. In an era before recycling centers, this role was crucial. From broken pots to old tools, everything had value. It was a trade rooted in resilience, creativity and the art of repurposing.

Why It Matters Today

These trades weren’t just about goods, they were about connection, resourcefulness and rhythm. They reflect the ingenuity and spirit of Guadeloupe’s people during the 20th century. At Café Créole, we see ourselves as part of this same lineage: sharing authentic flavors and stories from the Caribbean, one cup at a time.

As you sip your next Café Créole brew, take a moment to remember those who walked the island’s dusty roads before us: selling beignets, sorbets or collecting scrap metal with pride and purpose. Their stories deserve to be told, their spirit honored.