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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — More than a year after a devastating fire destroyed the Portland Mercado, the iconic hub for Latino-owned businesses is making a powerful comeback. Renderings of the new design have now been released, offering a glimpse at a space that honors the Mercado’s cultural roots.
For many in Portland’s Latino community, the Mercado has always been more than just a market. It was a vibrant symbol of culture, resilience, and identity—a place where food, music, and entrepreneurship came together to celebrate heritage. As plans for the rebuild move forward, the message is clear: the spirit of the Mercado is alive and well.
“You can punch us, you can put us down,” said Ernesto Fonseca, CEO of Hacienda CDC, the organization that owns the Mercado. “But eventually, we are going to get up.”
Help rebuild the Portland Mercado
That spirit of resilience is driving every detail of the Mercado’s reconstruction. Fonseca vividly remembers the day the fire tore through the building, displacing more than a dozen small businesses inside and around the market. But what he remembers just as clearly is the response from the community.
“They donated over $300,000 to rebuild the Portland Mercado and support small businesses,” Fonseca said. That outpouring of support helped fuel the vision for a new and improved space.
The new design will bring back the Mercado’s signature energy, featuring colorful architecture and expanded space for vendors and events. Among the most striking additions is a rooftop bar, which Fonseca says will offer a unique place to connect and celebrate.
One of the project’s architects, Sara Ruzomberka with Scott Edwards Architecture, says the new market hall will include peaceful and organic elements, while still embracing the bold energy that has always defined the Mercado. That energy will be reflected in every detail, including the eye-catching pink and turquoise exterior.
“We knew we wanted the colors to be vibrant and culturally recognizable,” Ruzomberka explained, noting that every design choice was made with cultural significance in mind.
Set to open in early 2026, the rebuilt Portland Mercado will serve not just as a marketplace, but as a statement of identity—one that reflects the strength and perseverance of Portland’s Latino community. Fonseca believes that message is more important now than ever.
“We are part of the fabric of this country,” he said. “Because this will pass, and we will prevail.”
The estimated cost to rebuild the Mercado is nearly $3 million. While progress is well underway, Fonseca says they still need the community’s help to fully realize the dream.
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Mia Villanueva
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