NewsThe capital of Valle del Cauca bids farewell to one of the businessmen who turned a family business into one of the most memorable retail chains. Gustavo Cardona Parra, one of the founders of Almacenes La 14, has died. Photo: EL TIEMPO / INSTAGRAM ALEJO BERMÚDEZ06.11.2026 19:26 Updated: 06.11.2026 19:26
The business community of Valle del Cauca is in mourning following the news of the death of Gustavo Cardona Parra, known for being, along with his brother Jaime Cardona, one of the key figures in the creation and consolidation of Almacenes La 14. According to Caracol Radio, his career was tied to the growth of a company that for decades was part of the daily life of thousands of families and became a commercial landmark in Cali and other regions of the country. The business community of Valle del Cauca is in mourning following the news of the death of Gustavo Cardona Parra. Photo: El TiempoAccording to the media outlet consulted, the Cardona family's business history began long before La 14 became a large-scale retail chain. His father, Abel Cardona Franco, launched the first family businesses in downtown Cali, where his sons took part in developing a commercial venture that grew until it achieved a national presence. Over the years, the establishment ceased to be a small hardware store and became a brand closely tied to the commercial identity of the capital of Valle del Cauca. READ ALSO From a small hardware store to one of the most memorable retail chainsAccording to information released by El País, the origins of Almacenes La 14 date back to the family businesses of Abel Cardona Franco in Cali. Later, the family acquired an establishment located at 14th Street and 8th Avenue, in the city center. In 1964, both businesses merged and gave rise to the Gran Cacharrería La 14, the name under which one of the most recognized companies in Valle del Cauca began to take shape. Gustavo Cardona Parra has died. Photo: Instagram Alejo BermúdezGustavo and Jaime Cardona were key figures in its growth and transformation. The company expanded its product offerings, adopted the self-service model, and began expanding into other areas of Cali. In 1981 it opened a store in the Cosmocentro shopping mall and, six years later, inaugurated its store in Calima, two important milestones in its commercial positioning. READ ALSO The business legacy of Gustavo Cardona ParraFor more than five decades, Gustavo Cardona was involved in the development of the family company. Although his brother Jaime was one of the most visible figures of the organization, Gustavo also played an important role in its consolidation. According to the media outlet consulted, former colleagues remembered him for walking through the stores, talking with the workers, and staying close to the staff. In 2018 he assumed the honorary presidency of Almacenes La 14. In 2018 Gustavo Cardona Parra assumed the honorary presidency of Almacenes La 14. Photo: Juan Pablo Rueda / EL TIEMPOAt its peak, the company had 26 stores in different cities and generated more than 16,500 jobs. Its expansion reached places such as Manizales, Armenia, Pereira, Neiva, and Bogotá, in addition to maintaining a strong presence in Valle del Cauca. Figures that reflect the scale reached by the business project driven by the Cardona family. READ ALSO According to the information published by El País, the religious ceremony to bid farewell to the businessman was scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at the San Fernando Rey church in Cali. Afterwards, his remains were transferred to the Campo Santo Metropolitano del Sur cemetery. Diana Vanessa Arévalo CorreaBREAKING NEWS DESK. Follow all the news from Colombia on Facebook and Twitter, or on our weekly newsletter.
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