In the misty dawn of a Wednesday morning, a fierce fire tore through the beloved Portland Mercado, causing chaos and devastation. Reports of “explosions” prompted the urgent response of the fire department around 5:30 a.m., only to discover that the flames had spread through hidden spaces in the building’s ceiling. With swift action, the firefighters managed to contain the fire after cutting through the roof, bringing an end to the terrifying ordeal within half an hour. Luckily, the building was empty, and no one was harmed.

Andréa Guedes, the visionary behind the Mercado, shared that the fire had caused significant damage to all the businesses within, including the popular Xŏcotl smoothie bar and the bustling Barrio wine bar. While the food carts were spared from the direct impact of the flames, the lack of power and water supply forced them to remain closed until further notice. The co-owner of Xŏcotl, Omar Salomon, lamented the loss of all their supplies and equipment, while Barrio seemed to have borne the brunt of the fire’s ferocity.

In a touching social media post, the Mercado expressed their grief while expressing gratitude to the brave first responders. Despite the recent departure of Kaah Market, the vibrant Barrio and the food carts have continued to charm locals and visitors alike with their Latin American culinary delights. The Mercado has been a hub for cultural events and has received widespread acclaim, even from publications like Eater.

Amidst the devastation, there is a glimmer of hope as some of the food carts have alternate locations still open for business. Additionally, the resilient owners of Xŏcotl are gearing up to unveil a new location in the coming weeks, while Hacienda CDC has rallied to establish a relief fund to support the affected businesses.

As the community comes together in the aftermath of the tragedy, the support for the Portland Mercado and its tenants is heartening. The story of recovery continues, and updates will be provided as more information comes to light.