Let’s Go Shopping at Broadacres! And why not? a Norteño Dance

Por

Angélica Simón Ugalde

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Publicado: 11/11/2024 · 2:01 p.m. MX | Actualizado: 11/11/2024 · 2:01 p.m. MX

Nothing resembles the famous tianguis in Mexico, quite like the flea markets in the United States. Las Vegas, Nevada, has one of the most famous markets, competing with the city’s main attractions, the casinos, for tourists.

The “Broadacres Marketplace & Event Center” is one of the most popular outdoor shopping destinations in Las Vegas. In addition to offering various goods, visitors can enjoy lively norteño dances featuring live bands in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekend, Broadacres hosts around 1,500 stalls, run mainly by Mexicans who have found their livelihood and way of life in commerce.

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Originally from Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco—a place he left 25 years ago—José has a stall in this flea market where he sells traditional Mexican candies, treats that can transport anyone to a Mexican corner with a single bite or sweeten the bitterness of distance and longing for family.

Mango slices, gummies, and freshly toasted peanuts are the favorites of José's customers. He is approaching a decade as a vendor in this market, located at 2930 North Boulevard, Las Vegas.

While the music plays and the more adventurous show off their dance skills on the floor, customers at each stall look for the best deal, and sellers work to make good sales, cover the stall rent, earn a profit, and maybe even set a little aside to send back to family across the border.

On a good day, Dora Elisa, who sells Colombian waist trainers, can earn between $700 and $800 if she sells about ten highly sought-after items to women of all nationalities.

“Mexicans, Salvadorans, and Guatemalans all wear waist trainers”, says the expert, who spends about $114 weekly to set up her stall. Others, like José, who runs three stalls, pay up to $1,500 monthly.

However, business is thriving, and as the saying goes in Mexico, “it pays off,” the interviewees agree, as Antonio Anistro stated for Heraldo USA.

Verónica sells all kinds of T-shirts for those coming from Mexico to work in construction, the country she left 18 years ago, searching for opportunities she found as a vendor. The support she sends back to her family reaches Puebla, where Verónica was born, all thanks to her stall in this flea market.

Like Verónica, José, and Dora Elisa, María is another vendor who brings color and life to this market with her hair bows and a wide range of cosmetics. You’ll find whatever you’re looking for in this market.

“You can find everything in Mexico right here”, says Verónica. Clothing, accessories, crafts, beauty products, personal hygiene items, appliances, cleaning supplies, and even molcajetes, a traditional Mexican mortar and pestle.

Plus, whatever you’re craving—tacos, tortas, coconuts with chili, tamales, chips, and refreshing drinks like horchata (the crowd favorite)—is all part of the Broadacres Marketplace & Event Center’s offerings. Everything is available at great prices at this Mexican corner in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“We have creams here that might cost $12 or $13 in the store, but here we sell them for $8, $10, depending on what you want,” says Oscar Miguel, another vendor.

Flea markets in the United States aren’t just places to buy and sell items—they’re also gathering spots that foster a sense of belonging.

With great offerings, music, food, and atmosphere, this flea market attracts not only Mexicans but also Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, and all kinds of tourists who step out of the casino area for a good time, tasty food, and shopping at Broadacres in Las Vegas—a truly Mexican space.

Angélica Simón Ugalde