Toucan Market celebrated 20 years

Toucan Market celebrated its 20^th anniversary on Saturday, June 28, by hosting what one of the owners, Robert Bauer, referred to at a ‘thank you’ to the Las Cruces community.

The store, located on 1701 E. University Ave., brought out many of the local vendors who usually sell products through Toucan Market to set up booths with their products, most right in front of their product shelves. Free samples were also given out to costumers during the event.

“I just want to thank Las Cruces for all the support in the last 20 years,” Bauer said. “That’s the reason, ultimately, why we are here, the local support from the local community.”

According to Bauer, Toucan’s Market missions has always been to provide the city with healthy, quality food to those in the community.

Hilario Saenz (left) and Taju LeBlanc (right) show Abigail Rogers the assortment of salsa provided at Toucan Farmer’s Market. Photos by Las Cruces Bulletin photo by Allison Rae Brady

Dana Jorgensen from the Las Cruces Distilling Company shows provides samples to costumers.

The store sells an assortment of products, including fresh produce and daily baked goods, but also many Las Cruces based vendors.

“We’re a local grocery store, so we consider this locals supporting locals,” Bauer said. “Hopefully we can continue on for the next 20 or 30 or 49 years. That’d be nice.”

Members of the Las Cruces community came to shop and celebrate with the local vendors. The Las Cruces community radio, Ktal, also came down to host a show during the anniversary celebration.

“It’s cool, I come here a lot with my grandmother, and they have a lot of local stuff,” said Abigail Rogers, who was out shopping at Toucan on Saturday. “I like checking out all of the local [businesses] and trying the food.”