U.S. Bank Foundation today announced a $1 million investment to 20 nonprofit organizations, including Moline-based Mercado on 5th Inc. – “driven by a diverse group of exceptional emerging leaders who are focused on creating effective community-led solutions toward the increasing economic disparities,” according to a Wednesday release from Mercado. Organizations are in both rural and metro communities and are focused on support for entrepreneurs and small business owners, workforce development programs and financial inclusion efforts for individuals and families as solutions to wealth building. Specifically,... Read More

After a year with no downtown Moline market, Mercado on Fifth is back to bringing its family-friendly festivities starting this Friday, and a new director is excited to expand the market to downtown Davenport. Mercado on Fifth in Moline (5th Avenue in the area of 11th to 12th streets) will run 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Friday, June 4 – Sept. 24. The new Mercado en el Rio in Davenport (Quinlan Court, off River Drive between Brady and Perry streets) will run 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every second Saturday, June through October. Like other canceled events in 2020, many people missed not having Mercado last... Read More

After having to shelve its 2020 season due to Covid, downtown Moline’s Mercado on 5th is gearing up to reopen in June with a new sense of mission and a new leader. Anamaria Rocha, 36, who grew up in Moline’s Floreciente neighborhood, was hired earlier this month as Mercado’s new director. She joins the nonprofit organization, led by co-founder and president Maria Ontiveros, as it prepares for what will be the fifth season of the popular Friday night outdoor markets on 5th Avenue in downtown Moline. “We could not have found a better person for the Mercado at this stage,” Ontiveros... Read More