El Mercadito in downtown San Jose offers alternative for vendors

Editor’s note: This story is part of the annual Mosaic Journalism Program for Bay Area high school students, an intensive course in journalism. Students in the program report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.

El Mercadito, a new weekly outdoor market near San Jose’s SAP Center, is attracting both visitors and vendors accustomed to selling their products at the venerable Berryessa Flea Market, whose future is uncertain.

Event organizer Kiara Kassandra has been working toward attracting the vendors. The Berryessa veterans “are so used to being there,” she said. But that habit may change.

The flea market has been operating for over 60 years, but its future at the site is in question with the development of the Berryessa BART Urban Village Area Plan.

El Mercadito vendors at a recent Wednesday in June expressed optimism about the new market. “I love interacting with people,” said Krystal Rico, who runs a specialty lemonade business called The Squeeze Co. “I love getting their response to the drinks and just communicating with people.”

Her business specializes in culturally influenced lemonades that include ingredients such as chamoy, mango, popping bobas and chamoy straws. Describing the most popular flavor, La Toxic, Rico said, “She’s a little sweet, a little spicy. You know, she’s really refreshing.”

Cayetano Araujo and daughter Wendy Diaz were selling goods from their Mexican snack business, Cayetano Botanas. Araujo began selling chamoy-coated gummies, pistachios, peanuts and various other snacks 32 years ago at the Berryessa Flea Market. The two said they enjoy the way El Mercadito brings the San Jose community together, as well as noting the superior taco selection.

One taco source was the food truck Con Sabor A Mexico. “It’s a little market and it’s just starting,” truck owner Daniel Ortega said. “It’s growing every week. We’re trying to spread the word out. And it’s great for the community and for the vendors.”

Juan Carlos, owner of J&C Handcrafted Culture, sells hand-painted and sculpted Mexican pottery as well as exotic plants. Carlos expressed admiration for the variety of cultures present at El Mercadito.

“It’s the mix of the cultures, you know, the vibe from like the people that come and support small businesses,” Carlos said.

Kassandra said visitors so far have agreed, enjoying the diversity and culture of El Mercadito at its location near downtown.

“They enjoy the different food we have, the baked goods, the trades, the plants,” she said. “And people just like to hang out … just chitchatting and just enjoying each other and music.”

The bonus, she added, is bringing the small business vendors together and educating them on the resources.

“It’s not just having a community here, but also if you’re a vendor, we encourage you to get your permits and everything. We will help you through it as well.”

Asher Rae Aguirre is a member of the class of 2027 at Santa Clara High School. Claire Dong is a member of the class of 2027 at Aragon High School in San Mateo.