Amid restrictions on dine-in service, Mercado on Fifth has launched new programming to help its restaurant vendors make it through the COVID-19 pandemic. Weekly Curbside Cash Mobs are driving customers, new and old, to shower love on participating vendors with brick and mortar locations.
Virginia Castro, owner of Restaurante El Mariachi was grateful for the support.
"Last night was the best night we have had in sales since shelter in place started. We sold over 150 dozen enchiladas and several dozen chile rellenos. That doesn't even count the people who didn't pre-order. The cash mob also boosted our sales on other items on our menu. We saw so many new faces, many who had not been to our restaurante before. Hopefully, now that they have tried our food, they will be back again! We really needed all of you, as you know all small businesses are struggling. This event was such a big deal for us.”
Vendors without a permanent location have also been supported through Mercado’s new Curbside Pickup series out of Catalyst Kitchen at St. Jonh’s Lutheran Church in Rock Island. Food businesses have served everything from 12-packs of enchiladas to tortas and tres leches cakes. On the first event in the series, vendor Maricarmen Lopez of Tamales for Hope sold over 75 dozen tamales.
Director Melissa Freidhof-Rodgers also hosted a webinar in collaboration with health inspectors Andy Swartz from the City of Moline and Eric Bradley from the Scott County Health Department to offer advice to restaurant owners on streamlining curbside pickup procedures and over-the-phone payments.
It is Mercado’s goal that all of its vendors will still be in operation once restrictions are lifted. “We are grateful to be in a position to help,” said Freidhof-Rodgers. Any local restaurants or small businesses interested in collaborating or consultations with Mercado should contact Melissa at 563.650.5391.