Visit MERCADO LATINO September 19-30 to Celebrate Latino-owned Businesses
Sunday, September 11, 2022 at 2:53AMArticle by Becky Fillinger, Photos provided by mpls downtown council
MERCADO LATINO will take place September 19 - 30 at Gaviidae Common. We spoke to Shannon Fitzgerald, Director of Downtown Partnerships for the mpls downtown council for all the information we need to know before visiting.
Shannon Fitzgerald
Q: What is the MERCADO LATINO?
A: The second annual MERCADO LATINO, a partnership between Chameleon Shoppes and the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), gives downtown shoppers the opportunity to explore products from all over Latin America as well as those created by Latino makers here in the Twin Cities. In addition to hosting the pop-up event, Chameleon Shoppes and LEDC will be providing partnership and training opportunities for each vendor throughout the month of September, meeting Chameleon's mission to connect, incubate, and accelerate BIPOC and women entrepreneurs as part of a movement to create a vibrant and inclusive Downtown Minneapolis.
Q: Before we jump into the event, please tell us about the number and impact of Minnesota Hispanic-owned businesses.
A: The impact of Hispanic owned businesses enfolds social, economic, and cultural aspects that are important not only for the Hispanic community but to the whole country. In addition to being the largest minority group in the USA, Hispanic Americans earned more than $1 trillion and paid more than $250 billion in taxes in 2017 alone in the United States, filling critical workforce gaps in labor-short industries- agriculture, construction, and healthcare. Hispanic immigrants start new business at a higher rate than the rest of the population of the U.S. - eight in ten new business are Hispanic owned.
In Minnesota, the impact of Hispanic businesses that LEDC has supported is exponentially increasing and can be shown through the following numbers from 2020:
- LEDC supported Latino producers to have access to $560,000 in the market.
- 27 small business borrowers benefited from our COVID-19 lending relief program, receiving deferments averaging 4.3 months on their loans.
- 500+ small businesses impacted by the pandemic and civil unrest received nearly $5 million in grant relief and $2 million in emergency loans.
All this money invested in the Latino community in Minnesota is money invested in the economy that generates jobs and taxes for the state. However, the overarching reason for the investment is that it creates community and makes this growing community feel like they belong and making them believe that they can thrive and aspire to better futures.
Q: Thank you! Now for this particular event, are you focusing solely on Minneapolis vendors and businesses?
A: No, we have selected vendors are from several different areas of the Twin Cities.
Q: What are the dates, hours and location?
A: Monday - Friday, September 19 - 30, 11:00-6:00. The market will be set up at Gaviidae Common skyway level, 651 Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis.
Q: Please tell us about the merchants who are participating.
A: It is first important to recognize the importance of collaboration with LEDC in putting together the showcase. Thirteen local and Latino-owned businesses are represented, with products ranging from personal care, pastries, home décor, clothing, and accessories.
Corazón clothing - The Epileptic Chef - Liny's Herbal Boutique - E.M.A.s Boutique - The Pink Giraffe - Lala Draws Lines - Artesania Rosa Mexicana - Luceritos Fashion - Sanorte Designs - Susana Mendez Jewelry - Heidi Rivera Piñatas - IJX Lashes
Q: Are any special events planned?
A: The closing celebration will be held on Friday, September 30th, along with the opening of the newest Chameleon Shop, FX (Fashion X) a collaborative store of Urban Fashion, right across from the MERCADO LATINO location. More information will be posted on the celebration soon!
Q: How may we follow the news of these businesses?
A: Chameleon will be posting on social media about these businesses and tagging them. You can follow Chameleon Shoppes on Facebook @chameleonconsortiumshoppes, Instagram: @chameleonshoppes and our webpage: https://www.chameleonshoppes.com.
Here are a few photos from last years event:
