On December 21, 2022 Mercado on Fifth vendor Las Salsas Doña Mary celebrated the grand opening of their first brick and mortar restaurant with a celebratory ribbon cutting. The restaurant is located at 1534 6th Avenue, Moline.
Moline city staff and elected officials, as well as members of Renew Moline were present.
Many in the restaurant industry know Alejandro Garcia. He’s worked everywhere from Ruby Tuesdays, Red Robin and Outback Steakhouse over the past 28 years.
Maria Garcia, or Doña Mary as she’s known, has made a name for herself as a caterer for family and private parties. It’s been a dream of hers for many years to take the next step and open their own restaurant.
She took the Food Sanitation Manager class in Spanish after Mercado on Fifth partnered with Blackhawk College to bring the certification program to the QC.
Soon after, they began renting the storefront at 1534 6th Ave. Moline. Many issues with the space set them back- a faulty air conditioner unit, even a roof caving in. Nevertheless, they persisted.
The business finally got its start this summer at Mercado on Fifth and drew long lines each week for their handmade tortillas and variety of guisados like chicharrón or nopales.
Now patrons can try an expanded menu of foods and aguas frescas in downtown Moline Monday-Saturday for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
