SAN LUIS — The historic market in San Luis, formerly known as the R&R, is undergoing mold remediation and has postponed reopening. Despite this setback, the community's spirit remains undaunted. According to Dr. Devon Peña with the Acequia Institute, the market's owner, he recently discovered mold, and its removal has delayed the opening until “sometime in November.” 

The market, a community cornerstone, opened its doors in 1857, almost two decades before Colorado became a state. Generations of the Romero family lovingly operated it until they passed the torch to the Acequia Institute in 2022. 

Founded in 2021, the Acequia Institute received a $1.5 Million grant from The Colorado Health Foundation (CHF) for the "San Luis Food Sovereignty Initiative." The Initiative is designed to address the diabetes and obesity epidemic in Costilla County and prevent the area from becoming a "food desert" since the only full-service grocery store in the county, the historic R&R Market, was in danger of closing. 

In 2023, after discovering asbestos and lead-based paint, the market closed pending clean up.  

Dario Gallegos, a San Luis de Culebra founder, opened the market in 1857 as Gallegos Mercantile. According to Peña, he introduced McCormack farm machinery. That company revolutionized agriculture by inventing the first mechanical reaper.  

The market's opening has been postponed a few times. In May, asbestos removal bushed the opening back to July, then October, and now, with the mold remediation, it is set for November. 

Undaunted, Peña is moving forward and recently gave this reporter a tour of the market. "That was the real problem, the mold," said Peña, pointing to a large hole in the ceiling, adding, "All of this was cut out. We removed all of the ceiling tiles." 

He added that the mole remediation on the first floor is complete, and the apartments on the second floor will be cleaned next. 

In demonstrating the building's historic origins, Peña said, "This wall is from 1857, and if you smell it, it smells like smoke, and that is from the fire in 1948. This is a piece of history; that is 1857 brick." 

When the institute bought the building, Peña said it contained hundreds of cans of Campbell soup and cans and boxes of food. "That really captures what was here, and we're not going to do that. We will offer about 60 varieties of fresh fruit and vegetables; this entire row will be all fresh food. We banished the soda pop and candy; we are not going to bring it back." The market will also have a carniceria (butcher shop), and a rotisserie for roasting chickens. Fresh milk, eggs, and cheese will also be available. 

"This is not the old R&R; the products are totally different, as is the layout. We are really excited that with two grants from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Our rotisserie can hold 20 birds; the leftovers will be made into frozen chicken soup and enchiladas. Our commercial kitchen is really important, an incubator project." 

Imagine an island with about five shelves. Upon entering, this will give shoppers an open view of the meat department at the back end of the market. 

"We are going to be able to start hosting events that we cater, such as quinceañeras. The entire first floor is going to be active. We will show films for free, and this will bring life to Main Street because it is dead. We are working on cultural events, including music, and we will allow people to use the space for their private events for just a clean-up fee and no rental fee." 

Linnette Ramariz, with the market, said, "On these shelves, we will have bulk foods. We are doing this to have what people are asking for. We will have our local bolita beans, fava beans, and lentils. We will have chicos, different-colored corn for the nixtamal process, pinon, and coffee. 

"We are also going to have the Colcha Corner, where the elders will tell stories. The colcha makers have asked for this and will have it. There will be free food and coffee for them so they can share their stories with whoever is around. Each colcha work is a story." Colcha is a form of embroidery the Spanish introduced to the region. 

Soon, the market floor will undergo a transformative acid wash treatment. The result will be a striking turquoise and sand-colored floor, a visual representation of the market's fresh start and vibrant future. "People can't believe how beautiful this is going to be," said Peña.