A popular market for the Hispanic community in and around Southeast Dallas is set to close early next year to make room for a new Home Depot.
Garibaldi Bazaar has been a home for small, largely Hispanic-owned businesses for more than 20 years. Earlier this year, a representative for Home Depot noting that the company intends to become the next tenant of the site located on the southwest corner of East RL Thornton and Buckner Boulevard.
In a letter , the bazaar鈥檚 management said vendors need to vacate by March 31, 2025.
鈥淲e tried to obtain an extension but we could not,鈥� the letter reads in Spanish. 鈥淔inish your contract with Garibaldi Bazaar so your deposit will be returned and you can remain in good standing with the bazaar.鈥�
Elias Ramirez, the manager of Garibaldi Bazaar, did not immediately respond to 四虎影院's request for comment, but local advocates say the bazaar鈥檚 closing is going to impact the community.
鈥淚t's going to be a financial hardship for them, the vendors, as well as for the customers that frequent those types of establishments,鈥� said Juanita Arevalo, a Garibaldi customer and advocate with the neighborhood association .
She added that for low-income patrons, the bazaar was a place to find affordable merchandise.
鈥淭he cost is a lot less for you to buy an outfit than you go to the mall and try to buy something,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here's no comparison.鈥�
For Daniel Wood, chair of the nearby , the bazaar鈥檚 closing is a 鈥渕ixed bag鈥� for residents in the area.
鈥淚 understand some people are not going to be happy about it,鈥� Wood said.
But he said the market has been an 鈥渆yesore鈥� in the neighborhood for years.
鈥淭hat's not reflective of the tenants or the people, the hard working people that ... have their stores in there,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat's a testament of a slumlord not taking care of his property.鈥�
The bazaar鈥檚 management told vendors in the letter that it鈥檚 already looking for another location for vendors.
鈥淎t the moment there are two options for us to move to,鈥� read the letter. 鈥淲e鈥檒l soon advise you of the new location.鈥�
The city鈥檚 Board of Adjustments approved Home Depot鈥檚 request for the new location in October. It鈥檚 now up for consideration in the City Plan Commission and, if approved, will go to the city council for a vote.
Pablo Arauz Pe帽a is 四虎影院鈥檚 growth and infrastructure reporter. Got a tip? Email Pablo at parauzpena@kera.org. You can follow him on X .
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