After more than 40 years of discussion, an urban Latin village in northeast Rochester is officially open for business.
Officials of the City of Rochester and Monroe County and community members gathered Oct. 8 to cut the ribbon and officially open La Marketa at the International Plaza at 828 North Clinton Ave., diagonally across from St. Michael Church in the heart of Rochester’s Puerto Rican community.
The plaza will enable local business owners to sell their products and services in pop-up tents and carts or kiosks. In September, Borinquen Bakery and New Generations Meats were selected by the city’s Department of Recreation and Youth Services to serve as anchor tenants for the plaza.
La Marketa also will include a performance pavilion, restrooms and a storage facility.
Starting Oct. 11 and running every Sunday through Nov. 1 from 1-4 p.m., the city will present Domingos en La Plaza Internacional at the venue. These events will highlight the cultures of the various Latin countries.
La Marketa’s normal hours will be from 1-5 p.m. on Sundays from April 15 to mid-December, and from 4-8 p.m. on Thursdays April 15 through the second Thursday of October.
(Check back for updates — including a photo gallery — on the opening of La Marketa)