La Plaza: Aurora’s New Mexican Marketplace is a Bargain Hunters’ Playground

La Plaza, the 100,000-square foot Latino marketplace, recently opened its doors. Housed in a former K-Mart at Chambers and Colfax in Aurora, it’s still a work in progress, but there are many mercado-style stalls already doing business with another 24 food stalls and a grocery store to come. For those on a budget, La Plaza is a great find if you’re looking for affordable clothing, sports apparel, jewelry, beauty services and food trucks galore.

It also has an arcade, a stage for live music and dance performances, plenty of tables with seating, an indoor playground, a nail salon, a hair salon and a bar.

My 12-year-old daughter and I spent a Saturday morning exploring the place. Not only did we find some bargains, but we both feasted on a variety of  food and drinks for less than it costs for one person to have brunch at most restaurants.

Right now, the myriad food and drink vendors are set up outside until their indoor kitchens have been outfitted. Many are taking their food truck concepts indoors, while others are simply tables under a tent.

When we entered La Plaza, it was filled with music and lots of activity. Everything feels very festive. There’s a huge concrete fountain in the center that also gives it a “Mexican town square” flair.

We meandered through the stalls for a couple of hours, had lunch, bought items from several vendors and made it out of there for under $50.

While you can certainly spend more on some of the high-end wares, we stretched our bucks into a morning of fun and food.

There are several vendors worth exploring. These are a few of our favorites:

Mayan Thunder

We started out sampling some freeze-dried candies from Mayan Thunder — they’ve converted treats like Skittles, Lemon Drops and banana candies into puffy, crunchy treats. We ultimately bought some watermelon gummies coated in Tajin chili powder. ($6)

Estrella de Joshua

This shop sells unique pinatas, party goods (especially for children’s parties) and favors or small gifts for first communions, confirmations, quinceaneras, and other milestone events.

Across the way is a store that sells elaborate quinceanera gowns and elegant evening dresses. There are also apparel stalls and stalls selling accessories (my daughter especially loved all the Hello Kitty items).

El Matador

The section that divides the market stalls at La Plaza from the dining and family entertainment area is anchored by a bar called El Matador.

It’s made from a converted shipping container and has several beers on tap, plus a full bar and a couple of frozen drinks machines that look primed to make refreshing boozy slushies once the weather warms up.

Entertainment Area

There are dozens of tables and chairs available for people who want to sit and eat next to a huge enclosed play area. Any parent who has had to try to dine with little kids knows this is a huge plus so that they can grab a bite while knowing their kids are being safely entertained within view.

There is a stage in the center (there were a few different live bands playing Mexican ranchera music that performed while we were there, but it would be the ideal space to host dance performances, too).

On the other side, there’s a huge arcade that has some regular video games but is mostly dedicated to virtual reality set ups.

La Bicicleta

Both in front of La Plaza and behind it, the inhabitants of future food stalls are parked outside, offering a variety of Mexican delicacies.

We shared an order of three quesabirria tacos with consomme from the La Bicicleta truck ($13) and got an agua fresca next door that was cold, refreshing, and full of actual mangoes ($6).

Dulces Delicias

We got a bag of Mexican candies at Dulces Delicias for $10 that included a coconut paleta (popsicle), a giant pickle in chamoy (as seen on Tik Tok, according to my daughter), a Carlos V chocolate bar, and Lukas candy.

La Plaza boasts a salon called Bella Beauty Salon that has a separate barber shop area as well as a separate nail salon.

There is a store dedicated to religious items like statues of Catholic saints, a shoe store, one that hawks natural pet food and treats and a few that sell sports jerseys and T-shirts.

Also, a stall selling safety gear for people who work in construction, a DJ booth, and a few stores that sell toys, jewelry, and knockoff designer items.

If you go:

15200 E Colfax Ave.
Aurora, 80011
720-767-4417
laplazacolorado.com

Hours:

Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight.

Parking:

There is ample free parking in the parking lot in front.