MOLINE, ILLINOIS (October 21, 2019) — After an exciting fourth season of Mercado on Fifth with over 20,000 attendees, the nonprofit organization has hired a new director: Quad Cities local, Melissa Freidhof-Rodgers. The recent growth of the weekly outdoor event on 5th Ave in Moline has prompted the group to search for a full-time organizer.
“Since opening in 2016, the Mercado has largely been managed by volunteers,” said President of Mercado on Fifth, Maria Ontiveros. “We were ready for someone to lead the market into the next stage of growth and feel Melissa has the perfect skill set to do so.”
With over 20 years of restaurant-management experience, Freidhof-Rodgers has a lot to share with aspiring entrepreneurs. She currently manages Catalyst Kitchen, a community kitchen and business incubator housed in St John’s Lutheran Church. She also teaches the Food Sanitation Management class in Spanish at Black Hawk College. Fluent in Spanish, Melissa previously worked as an interpreter and Spanish teacher.
“The things I feel most passionate about are food, entrepreneurship, community, and Latin-American culture,” said Melissa. “Mercado on Fifth happens to be the embodiment of all those things.”
Freidhof-Rodgers has turned down opportunities to open new restaurants, knowing she would rather help others start their own food businesses. “This is how I want to carry on my grandfather’s entrepreneurial spirit,” she said, referring to Harold Ross of Ross’ Restaurant in Bettendorf, Iowa.
After starting with Mercado in mid-August, changes already have been implemented to support vendors. She has increased promotion of the participating businesses and has planned a series of pop-up Mercado events over the winter, including a Mole Cook-off from 6-9PM on November 16 at the Robert and Blenda Ontiveros Teen Center. If interested in this event, contact Melissa at (563)-650-5391.
About the organization
Mercado on Fifth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting small businesses, community pride, and summer learning in and around the Quad Cities. Since 2016, the Mercado has served as a platform for over 100 small businesses and nonprofits. With the help of Mercado on Fifth and community partners like Black Hawk College, Global Communities, and the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Western Illinois University, 20 new minority-owned businesses have been started. Their Friday evening events attract an average of 1,000 people per night to celebrate culture and community. Mercado on Fifth will run from 5-10PM every Friday night through May 22-September 25, 2020.
