at a glance

taking advantage of their new homes in the central zone of rio de janeiro, these newcomers quickly established several businesses, working as street sellers or opening shops in the venues around rua de alfândega (alfândega street).

in the early 1960's there was some discussion concerning the construction of a new venue passing through the central zone of rio - this implied the dislodging of many local inhabitants, and resulted a large uproar among the locals merchants.

the formation of the organization saara began in 1962, when local business owners of the district organized the neighborhood - this was in direct response to the planned urbanization projects that would have demolished the houses in the region. 

saara is the portuguese acronym for society for the friends of the adjacencies to the alfândega street.