About Us

Mercado 536 is a cooperative retail space and online platform dedicated to empowering artists and makers by providing a place to sell their products while gaining valuable business skills. Mercado 536 is a part of The Creative Entrepreneurship Program at The Garcia Center for the Arts. This program is designed to support artists and creative entrepreneurs who want to develop and grow their business skills through 1on1 mentorships, business workshops, classes, networking events and vendor market events. 

Our goal is to serve as a hub for local entrepreneurs, fostering growth through collaboration, education, and community support. Our Artists and other small business owners invest their resources back into the community, creating a cycle of mutual support. By strengthening the connection between local businesses and the people of San Bernardino, we cultivate a thriving culture where both can flourish together.