Howie K.
Yelp
Whoa, talk about a groundswell. This market absolutely dropped some community science on opening day, 5/4, it was unlike anything I've ever experienced in this city and I'm so, so happy it's here all summer long.
First, a little history on how this thing came to be. When the city announced its plans to renovate the Blacksmith shop of this deserted steam engine factory, several movers & shakers around town put their heads together and flirted with the idea of hosting a summer market that would be the centerpiece of ABQ culture: arts, food, music, etc. Inspired by markets the world over, they submitted a picture of La Boqueria, a huge market in Barcelona, to Facebook's Inhabitants of Burque. The pic exploded with Likes and Shares, and a meeting of the minds immediately came together. It was unanimous: the market needed to Be.
Fast forward to March 2014. Volunteer and grassroots driven, an outpouring of community energy and passion filled the Wheels Museum every day of the week with committees tasked to handle food vendors, marketing, musicians, performing arts, the whole shebang. Every Friday a general meeting was held, helmed by Eric Griego and Chad Gruber, to rally troops and move the initiative forward. Volunteers came from every corner of the city, including Barelas, offering to help. I joined them. It was kind of Amish, actually; we weren't building the barn, but we stuffed it with goodies. My Burqueños, for sure.
The Market will only grow from this point on, it will only improve. Every Sunday through November 2nd, 9am-3pm, this is the place to be in the 505. I look forward to updating this review as time moves on; at the moment, we need a lot more food in the market itself, more growers, an improved children's play area, water(!), a dedicated bike path, there's plenty to critique. But the infrastructure and community commitment is there, in droves. Come support the 505 in the factory that built this town, the Rail Yards. We own this. Take it back. That's my Local Motive.