MOLINE, Ill. — Mercado on Fifth is reporting a record-breaking season this year and it's looking to expand.
Mercado's director Anamaria Rocha said more money was spent in the 2022 season than in the market's first four years of operation.
"We know we're outgrowing our space, we know we need to expand, we know how much the community loves [Mercado]," Rocha said.
Leaders of the Hispanic market are excited to support the future of local businesses.
"There are so many new vendors this year – we had 16 new vendors – so there's more that want to come in," Rocha said. "We want to be able to provide that opportunity, that platform to allow aspiring business owners to come in and start their business and then hopefully move into a brick-and-mortar space."
Adding to Mercado's successful season was its first "Dia de los Muertos" or "Day of the Dead" parade on Saturday, Oct. 22.
Organizers said thousands of people joined in the celebration, with more than 80 groups in the parade.
"So grateful that the city of Moline embraced the parade – being the first year we didn't know what to expect," Rocha said. "The crowds were just enormous, but we'll plan better next year."
Leaders hope the success will allow Mercado to continue being a hub for Hispanic culture and the local community.
"Not only are people coming out more, people are spending more – they're staying longer," Rocha said. "If you go down [to Mercado], you just see the amount of people dancing – it's a place you go to dance, you go to eat, you hang out with our family."
Mercado on Fifth is located on 5th Avenue and 12th Street in Moline.
Its normal season runs from May 27 through Sep. 30.