How does a business survive an 85% drop in sales? Mercado Central lost 85% of their revenue as a result of Operation Metro Surge during the month of January in Minneapolis. In this episode of The Twin Cities Business Show, Juan Linares, Co-founder of the market, takes us through that period of time and how they are navigating the aftermath.

They play host to 35 small businesses, non-profits, and more. Since 2020, they have faced a series of challenges that have threatened their existence, but Linares and their team have fought to keep the building open and the Mercado alive because they know the essential role they play for the community.

Linares also talks about his journey, from Mexico City to Detroit Lakes to Minneapolis, and how immigrant-owned business owners are at the heart of American capitalism and dynamism. He shares his perspective on how the immigrants that come to this country want to make a contribution and how that drives them.

This episode is doubling as a fundraiser for the Mercado. The last few years have been difficult ones for the Mercado. You can donate to their GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-mercado-central-from-closure