After eight years of remarkable growth, Mercado on Fifth has started a flavorful new chapter with the addition of a long-awaited, well-equipped commercial kitchen to its 6,300-square-foot indoor event space.
The new food-prep area at La Plaza del Mercado on Moline’s Fifth Avenue had a coming out party of sorts on June 26 as part of the new space’s “Gran Inauguracion!” or grand opening. There, invited guests toured the facility. They also stepped up to the bar to try unique and popular drinks being served during this year’s Friday night markets as well as sampled street food and non-alcoholic beverages created by Mercado vendors Miguel’s Street Tacos and Las Delicias Snacks and Desserts.
Attendees also had the chance to explore another new addition: the curated works of 10 Latino artists arranged in the building’s new El Rinconcito de Arter or Art Corner. The dynamic indoor gallery premiered on June 7 and provides a platform for local artists.
Among those celebrating the additions was Chris Ontiveros, a member of Mercado’s leadership team. He told the crowd “Thank you everyone who has supported this organization thus far.”
Cacari family lauded
High on that list was the father-son team of Christopher and Zachary Cacari who, Mr. Ontiveros said, was “very instrumental” in building out and designing the kitchen space. The work they did, he said, will help define what Mercado will be able to do with the new space. Among the commercial kitchen’s anticipated uses are cooking and food safety classes that will help Mercado serve one of its primary missions: fostering entrepreneurship.
The kitchen was the brainchild of Mercado co-founder Maria Ontiveros, who is Mr. Ontiveros’ daughter and the granddaughter of the late co-founder Robert Ontiveros.
“We wanted to create a space where the community could engage in culinary arts. Our team anticipates hosting cooking classes, food competitions, and educational opportunities for business owners, such as food sanitation classes and menu planning,” Ms. Ontiveros told the QCBJ.
Gateway to understanding
“This kitchen aligns with Mercado’s mission of supporting minority entrepreneurship and promoting cultural pride in the Hispanic community. It will open up sales opportunities for food businesses and also provide a place for cultural exchanges through food,” she added.
“We’re all well aware that food is a gateway to understanding another culture. It’s also a way for people to connect to their roots.”
The kitchen project represents a significant investment of both time and money. The project was made possible with the help of supporters including: the City of Moline, The Lundgren Foundation, Group O and the Ontiveros Family Trust, Mercado Executive Director Frances Williams told the QCBJ.
The commercial-grade equipment alone cost about $82,000. It includes a gas stove and oven, flat-top grill and a two-basket deep fryer, and a highly advanced fire safety system in place with a hood that ventilates to suppress fire spread. Mercado leaders have high hopes for a big return on that investment.
It’s a new chapter
“Thank you to everyone who has supported this organization thus far,” Maria Ontiveros said. “This kitchen starts a new chapter and we look forward to expanding our impact.”
Ms. Williams added that with the space, “Our community of food vendors will have the ability to utilize the kitchen outfitted with real commercial grade appliances that one would find in a real restaurant to further enhance their offerings and or expand their growth with catering. You may even see some new food competitions arise out of our new signature ‘Taste of Mercado’ event “ on July 19 that was held out of the new kitchen.
The Friday night market’s inaugural “Taste” was originally set for June 28, but was postponed due to rain and flooding concerns, Ms. Williams said.
As part of the Taste event, the first 500 guests aged 14+ who came through the gates were to be given the option to participate in voting for which vendors will be awarded best overall, best main dish/entree, best side/snack, best beverage and best salsa. As an added incentive to attend, the night – which was sponsored by Modern Woodmen of America – the popular band Los Dragones de la Cumbia was booked to play, she said.
In addition to hosting that and future Taste of Mercado nights and other food competitions the kitchen also “benefits those learning about food safety and handling and engaging or exploring the culinary arts and taking classes for menu planning,” Ms. Williams said.
Classes already started
Recently, Mercado scheduled its first of those classes in the new kitchen for 28 students from the Boys & Girls Club Moline’s summer program.
And that’s not the only way Mercado is sharing the space. The kitchen and hall will be available for event rental along with an outdoor patio and grassy field.
Chris Ontiveros hopes rental demand is high. “The kitchen starts a new chapter and we’re looking to expand our impact,” he said during the grand opening. “Just today we had a vendor reach out to us to ask if they can rent it to do more of their catering. So again, there’s a lot of parties, quinceaneras, graduations, weddings, and this space is available.”
In addition to the new kitchen and rental capabilities, also playing a part in Mercado’s newest chapter is Ms. Williams, who signed on with Mercado in February.
“I’m grateful that Maria (Ontiveros) brought me in to help systemize and operationalize Mercado. We’re no longer a small ‘startup’ or ‘junior’ nonprofit,” Ms. Williams said.
“We have been growing and will continue to do so especially on the programming side with support through our minority business incubator to better serve the Quad Cities minority entrepreneurs. You will see we’re going to grow on the cultural celebration side as well with new music offerings and expanded art displays. It’s exciting what lies ahead and I can’t wait to share more when the time is right.”
Roots in culinary arts
Of that cultural side, Mr. Ontiveros said, “We didn’t really envision this when it all started. We knew that it was going to be heavily influential in the Hispanic community, but what we didn’t know was that the artists would be so important.”
Today, he said, “Mercado has a two-part mission: to support minority entrepreneurship and promote cultural pride in the Hispanic community. I think we’re really promoting pride here.”
That shows through on market nights. “We see a lot of grandparents. We see a lot of kids. I don’t know if you’ve been here on Friday nights but it’s dynamic,” he added.
He also hopes Mercado will continue to “be the face for” the Quad Cities growing Hispanic community. “Over the last 100 years it’s been Mexicans from Guanajuato,” he said. “But now it’s grown and there’s Mexicans from every state now. There are Hispanics from Central America. Our own director (Ms. Williams) is a Colombian from South America.”
As for the new kitchen, though it’s open for business, Ms. Williams said. “We are definitely putting some final finishing touches on things. There will also be a surprise art installation in the kitchen area to celebrate our Latino culinary art roots.” QCBJ
How to rent Mercado venue
- CAPACITY: Total event capacity is 250 people but the outdoor patio and grassy field can also be rented for special events.
- SEATING: The venue comes with 10 eight-foot banquet tables, nine six-foot round tables, eight cocktail tables and has 100 folding chairs available for use.
- FOOD: Renters can bring their own and/or hire a caterer/food truck. (Recommendations are available on request.)
- BEVERAGE/BAR: Mercado will provide all beverages for events due to liability. The full-service bar offers beer, wine, liquor, soda and water. Renters can choose a cash bar, fully paid bar, or a (renter) bar tab/cash bar combination.
- SET-UP: Renters are responsible for event set-up and basic teardown. If Mercado sets up tables, there is an additional $100 charge. If Mercado handles teardown there is an additional $100 charge.
- RENTAL FEE: The fee is $1,000 and payable within 30 days of the event date. There is a $500 refundable damage deposit that is paid to secure the date.
- FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit mercadoonfifth.org.
