La Casa Azul Bookstore opened a Summer Pop Up Shop in La
Marqueta on July 6, 2013.
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| La Casa Azul Bookstore - summer pop up shop! |
Located
just 12 blocks north from our shop at 103rd Street, our Summer Pop Up
Shop is the perfect place for you to pick up books, gifts and toys for
the children in your life.
And while you are at La Marqueta,
you can also enjoy coffee, pastries and many delicious treats from the
shops in the historic market place!
Shop local and support independent businesses that make El Barrio and
La Marqueta unique!  |
| Hot Bread Kitchen |
Hot Bread Kitchen,Founded by Jessamyn Rodriguez
Interviews with: Mercedes (Shop Manager) and Molly
(Communications/Public Relations)
How long has Hot Bread Kitchen
been in La Marqueta?
The Bakery/Incubator Kitchen has been at La Marqueta
since December, 2010. The stall opened in July, 2012 to sell Hot Bread Kitchen
products to the community.
What
products/services do you sell/provide to the community?
Hot Bread Kitchen is a
non-profit organization, which has a bakery training program for immigrant
women to learn the skills of professional bread making within a legal space. We
provide international breads, produced by the bakery training program. Proceeds
from bread sales fund the program for immigrant women. The products sold at the
stall located in La Marqueta are produced by the incubator kitchens, and buying
these products helps support small businesses.
What’s a highlight of working at La Marqueta?
Socializing with the people
of the community and spreading the word of what we do as a non-profit. Mercedes
adds: “This space reminds me of being home in the Dominican Republic, but the
quiet parts.”
 |
| Mama Grace's Afro Caribbean Food |
Interview with: Mama Grace
(Vendor/Owner)
How long have you been at La Marqueta?
I have been here since 1993.
What products/services do you sell/provide to the
community?
I provide African/Caribbean
food and products to the community. Many of my customers come from different
parts of the East Coast, just to buy my products.
Highlight one of your products.
The most popular product is
my dry salted linkfish. I also provide traditional cooking ware such as mortar
and pestle, cast iron pots, and wooden utensils. I also have a variety of old
medicinal products like cod liver oil, florida water, and ginseng.
 |
| Velez Grocery |
Interview with: Aurelia
(Vendor)
How long have you been in La Marqueta?
It will be 21 years in
October that I have been in this building of La Marqueta, but I have had a
stall in La Marqueta since 1971.
What products/services do you sell/provide to the
community?
I sell yuca, Caribbean food,
etc.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in El
Barrio, and grew up in La Marqueta. My parents are from Ponce and San Dulce,
Puerto Rico.
Highlight a product.
My bacalao and Goya brand
products.
 |
| La Marqueta, 115th and Park Ave, El Barrio |
Interview with Jose, vendor
How long have you been at La Marqueta?
Viva Produce is a
family-owned business that has been in La Marqueta for 30-40 years.
What products/services do you sell/provide to the
community?
Various types of produce
found in Latin America, including green plantains, cassava, chayote, and many
more.
Highlight one of your products.
Ñame (a root vegetable).
Interview with: William
(Owner)
How long have you been at La Marqueta?
Two years.
What products/services do you sell/provide to the
community?
Meats and fish, such as oxtail,
turkey, chicken, beef.
Where are you from?
I’m from the Dominican
Republic.
What does La Marqueta mean to you?
History and tradition. It’s a
piece of El Barrio that we need to keep beating, like a heart.
Did you visit La Marqueta as a child?
Do you still visit? Share your favorite memories of La Marqueta with us!
Interviews by Chris Lopez and Silvia Galis-Menendez
