The family-owned restaurant tucked away near the main strips of St. Mary’s and I-10 — a local business that’s been operating for nearly 40 years — needs a holiday miracle this December.
On Saturday, December 23, the market is hosting its annual “Tata and Nana’s Miracle on Anita St.” — a holiday toy drive that Mario and Grace Soto started 39 years ago. This year, Gracie Soto, the granddaughter, is hoping the community will support her fundraising efforts to keep Anita’s Street Market up and running.
The fundraiser, which is also a toy drive, will include a Santa Claus sighting, free hot chocolate, hot dogs for sale, and bags of candy for the kids.
“Alongside our Christmas event, it’s a very important fundraiser to keep Anita’s Open,” the market shared on Facebook. “We will be selling menudo, champurrado, nachos, raffles, and a bake sale! Thank you in advance for all your love and support!”
“It’s not about me, it’s about the market, it’s about the history, the culture,” Soto told KOLD. “It’s about losing a staple in Tucson. I know how many people want this store, investors are calling left and right. I know what it’s valued at, and I know this has a lot of potential but to me, it’s priceless. If that wasn’t the case I would have sold it a long time ago.”
Soto also let the media outlet know that lenders plan to put Anita’s Street Market up for auction in mid-January 2024. In early 2023, the market closed for months because equipment issues, leading to late payments on the building’s mortgage.
So, head over to the market Saturday, December 23 and show the family love and support this holiday season.
Anita’s Street Market is located at 849 N. Anita Ave. Keep up with Anita’s Street Market on Facebook.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
