The Alameda Night Market - A Weekend Happening at 11th & Main
On the eastern edge of South Park on Main Street just below 11th is an exciting little pocket of light, food, sound, and family activity dubbed The Alameda Night Market. I spoke to the organizer, Robert Preece, about this caldron of action in an otherwise quiet part of DTLA.
Robert told me his family used to sell its wares at the Avenue 26 Market in Lincoln Heights. When that operation shut down last year, Robert and his wife decided to look for another location that could be used by the many vendors at the Avenue 26 Market whose family livelihoods depend on selling personal items and food in the community. They looked for weeks throughout the area and finally lighted on a large parking lot just behind the new Proper Hotel, reasoning the spot would be a safe and fun location for families to come on weekends for food and entertainment.
The market has been open a year or so now and features an eclectic mix of fifteen to twenty food, jewelry, and personal items vendors from all over Los Angeles and as far away as Victorville. On occasions the market has featured a DJ and dancing, a Bounce House for the kids - and what have you. He is currently working on several other attractions to add to the mix.
Robert said the Market has an Instagram site (@AlamedaNightMarket) that has over 85,000 followers! The Alameda Night Market is open every weekend throughout the year with hours 6-11:30 pm on Fridays, 5-11:30 pm on Saturdays and 5-11pm on Sundays. Sorry, pets are not allowed.
If you are ever looking for something fun, different, and really, really, colorful, this is an easy walk from anywhere in South Park to cap off your weekend, The Alameda Night Market is the ticket!
By John Nilsson