Mercado selects vendors for 2024 season

Unofficial start of summer in the QC kicks off Friday, May 24, 2024 

Mercado on Fifth has announced the vendor lineup for the 2024 summer season, which is scheduled to kick off on Memorial Day weekend. The cultural night market located on 5th Avenue, Moline will take place from 5 to 10 pm every Friday evening May 24 - September 27, 2024.

Due to the volume of vendor applications as well as event area capacity, this year’s vendor selection process incorporated a decision matrix in which applicants were evaluated on 21 different factors, including uniqueness of products offered, booth presentation and business growth indicators. 

As a result of the curation, this year’s vendors are more diverse and poised to create one of the best cultural experiences in our region. Food offerings will include Venezuelan empanadas, Honduran pupusas and traditional Oaxacan tamales, while artisanal products being sold include items made by hand as well as gifts imported from other countries. Many of the participating businesses are still in a startup phase. 

"Mercado on Fifth was created to be an entrepreneurial laboratory and Latino cultural hub. Vendors come to start and test their business ideas on our streets - and do that in a safe environment that echoes the markets many find in their own birth communities,” said Frances Williams, the new executive director of Mercado on Fifth. 

Participating food vendors include:

Mi Oaxaca

Tacos Al Vapor

Mexies

Restaurante El Mariachi

Raulito's

Carolina Cook-Out

Mozbites

Coffee Oasis

Miguel's Street Tacos

Las Delicias Snacks & Desserts

Xochimilko

Las Salsas Dona Mary

Sabor Catracho

Creative Signature Cuisine 

Las Venezolanas

Arely's

Mia's Lemonade

Antojitos Mexicanos

Coya's Cafe

Megusta

Mi Chelita

Aguas Frescas Camila

Dulzura Cakery & Studio

Participating retail vendors include:

Urbinas Creations

Frio Sauce

Mundo de Caramelo

Amore Creations

Atlas Collective

Ladybug's Closet

2Brothers Dog Biscuit

Peanut Blossom Design

Discounted Tools & More

G's Gourmet Popcorn

Alex's Toy Shop

El Encanto Bazaar

La Luz

SnoConeYas

Tongue Teazers Freeze Dried Treats

Adolfo's Imports

Yaya's Boutique

Rosarios QC

Mundo de Belleza

Artesanias Gaby

Joel’s Shoe Shine

El Sol Entertainment

Ballonatix

Los Dos Grandes Western Wear

“It's contagious excitement among our vendors, especially those that are new and launching for the first time. They have some really exciting business ideas that are going to be so wonderful to watch unfold. We’re hard at work getting them registered and ready to sell, sell, sell this summer!” Williams said. 

Mercado on Fifth is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves as a resource and catalyst for minority entrepreneurs. The organization works with both English and Spanish-speaking minority entrepreneurs to help start, test, launch and grow their businesses, and has helped to start and provide a platform for over 60 new businesses since Mercado’s inception in 2016. 

“Our greatest satisfaction is in seeing these businesses start, test and then go off to expand their business to new levels. We also take pride in attracting members of all parts of our community to enjoy the beautiful tapestry of our shared Hispanic culture,” said Williams.

With the financial support of community partners like John Deere who will be sponsoring opening day, the 2024 Mercado on Fifth season is set to be one of the greatest for the organization. The entertainment lineup will include a broad range of Latin genres, including Rock en español, salsa and crowd favorite: banda music.

Stay tuned for updates, including the musical lineup, on the Mercado on Fifth website at www.MercadoOnFifth.org, its social media channels, as well as posted event calendars throughout the area. 

Mercado on Fifth Hires New Director

Mercado on Fifth is gearing up to reopen in May with a renewed sense of mission and a new leader at the helm.

Frances Williams, a Moline native who spent the last 24 years in Denver, Colorado, was hired in January as Mercado’s new Executive Director. She joins the nonprofit organization as it prepares for what will be the eighth season of the popular Friday night outdoor markets on 5th Avenue in downtown Moline.

"We could not have found a better person for Mercado on Fifth at this stage,” said

Maria Ontiveros, who co-founded the organization with her late grandfather Bob

Ontiveros, founder of Group O. “Not only will Frances add value to our network of

small and minority-owned businesses, she has already demonstrated incredible

leadership for our team in her first few weeks.”

Williams’ work experience includes 3.5 years with Mi Casa Resource Center, one of the

largest and oldest Latino-serving organizations in the state of Colorado where she led

the only Women’s Business Center in Colorado for the SBA. While at Mi Casa, and

serving as Senior Director of Pathways, she managed a team of 25+ employees

responsible for direct service of career/workforce development and small

business/entrepreneurship support. She was a key member of a transition team

brought in to take in-person training virtual and then to a new hybrid model amidst

the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My passion is to assist other entrepreneurs in launching their own formalized

businesses that can not only build wealth and prosperity for themselves but also

future generations. Coming back to the Quad Cities and being able to continue that

mission through Mercado is a blessing,” Williams said.

Prior to Mi Casa, Frances launched three of her own businesses as well as dedicated

nearly 20 years of her career in service to the protection and preservation of

multi-generational wealth and business for future generations. Of Colombian descent

and fluent in Spanish, Frances spent four years prior to COVID expanding her financial

planning services to families in the majority of Latin American countries. Her love,

pride and passion for culture fueled Frances to find ways to support her Latino

community at home and abroad.

“Becoming a new steward to the mission of Mercado is something I am quite excited

and honored to continue,” Williams shared. “Having places where the minority

entrepreneurs can get education, support and celebration of who they are and where

they are in their journey is key to economic growth and prosperity. Mercado’s place

and influence in Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa will continue to grow.”

Since Mercado was launched in 2016, the organization has been building an equitable

local economy by supporting small-scale entrepreneurship. Working with its

community partners, including Black Hawk College and the Illinois Small Business

Development Center at Western Illinois University-Quad Cities, the organization has

helped to start over 60 new businesses, most of which are minority-owned.

“I look forward to continuing to professionalize the organization with systems and

processes that will help not only our internal team but also external shareholders and

partners like our valued vendors,” Williams said.

Williams is a graduate of Seton Catholic School, Alleman High School and studied

International Business, Finance and Business Administration at Northern Illinois

University, Black Hawk College and Saint Mary’s College. Frances is an avid global

traveler and enjoys a variety of outdoor activities. She is very family oriented and

loves being in the company of her many Midwestern cousins. Due to the sudden loss of

her father, Williams transitioned back to the Quad Cities in late 2023.

Love the River

Love is in the air!

Join us on Saturday, February 10th from 3-5PM at Mercado on Fifth for the Moline Riverfront ‘Love the River’ Celebration.

The celebration will be fun for all!

Free professional Valentines-themed photos

Valentine decorating station

Local sweet treats and refreshments

There will be a quick presentation covering the Moline riverfront project background and the three proposed design concepts. Looking for community feedback!!

Free parking will be available to the north of the

building.

To learn more, visit www.molineriverfrontplan.com!