Bring on the New Year!

Dear Friends of Mayapan,

2010 has arrived!!! And we are very excited about all of the new opportuntiies and development that will be occurring in the Mercado in this new year.

We really appreciate all of the help and support each of you and your family and friends have given us during 2009--it was a challenging year, but we have made it to 2010!!

Unfortunately however some issues from 2009 have carried over. As many of you may know, yesterday the City of El Paso took steps to declare us in default on the loan that was made to the Mercado last summer. This action was taken despite our having met with the City staff on a monthly basis since June, and our having a meeting, at our request, with the city manager in mid December to present a repayment plan. As we have said all along, we are fully committed to repaying the loan in 2010, and we hope that the City will work with us to allow us to repay the note. (http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_14129934?IADID=Search-www.elpasotimes.com-www.elpasotimes.com)

Unfortunately a repercussion of this matter is that there is extensive confusion and concern about the Mercado's operations (now and in the future). We have attempted to explain that the Mercado is open, has been open and will continue to be open and operating in 2010. That in fact, 2010 looks to be an outstanding year for the Mercado's growth and development, including an expected announcment of a major grant in the coming weeks.

But right now, we need to continue to build and demonstrate community support. WE URGE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS to come to Mercado Mayapan--shop, eat, spend time in a family friendly environment. If you are out of town, check out our e-commerce site www.lummetik.com.

And if you have an organization or event, consider Mercado Mayapan, Cafe Mayapan or La Mujer Obrera's conference room as its site. Isabella will be happy to work through the details with you, just contact her at isabellarodriguez@mujerobrera.org or call her at 915-630-7048. Large or small, we have the facilities and support to make your event a memorable occasion.

Again, thank you for all of your support. And we look forward to working together this year to strengthen and grow Mercado Mayapan.

Best wishes, La Mujer Obrera