Mercado de la Raza celebrates 2nd store with grand opening block party

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii’s long-standing anchor for authentic Latin American food, products and heritage is expanding to Central Oahu.

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Mercado de la Raza is opening its second location in Waipio’s Koa Ridge. The original store on Beretania Street has been open since 1995.

Husband-and-wife co-owners Alex Villarino and Megahn Chun have run the market since 2022.

“We are envisioning this to be a community hub, a gathering place,” Chun said. “We’re actually planning on building a mezzanine here that will serve as a space where people can come and do cooking classes, reading children’s books. We have a whole children’s library here of bilingual books and that’s something we’re looking to develop.”

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The public is invited to a grand opening block party this Saturday, June 20, with local food and beverage pop-up vendors, music, family-friendly activities, and exclusive merchandise while supplies last.

The celebration takes place at the Royal Koa Parking Lot at Koa Ridge, 94-1245 Hulukupuna St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The store itself will be open for shopping until 6 p.m.

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For more information, visit MercadodelaRaza.com.