Mercado — Local services in San Marcos

Love to come here to do some last minute shopping. I find myself going to the 99 cent store (now dollar tree) to get low cost essentials or to grocery outlet to get bargains on groceries when I don’t have time to go far ( I live up the street)plus at times I go to dds discount to get great deals on clothes or home decor when I’m on a budget.i also love the fact that they have yummy food restaurants like share tea,Chinese food,Philly franks,Los Cabo’s,pho 4 queen and new food trucks and vendors that sell there. They also have a new remodeled laundry mat if you need to do laundry. You can basically do all of your shopping in one place! It’s so...

I remember back in the day when there was a Miller's Outpost at this Strip Mall. Some of you reading this may not know what I'm talking about, but those of you who do will know exactly. My friends and I, back in the day, would come just for that.

These days, my married self comes for all the discount shopping at Dd's, Grocery Outlet, and 99 cents.

Parking is not an issue as there is plenty of it. Also, the stores are perfectly located so that if you park centrally, you can plan to start at one store and walk to the next until you're done shopping. Your car won't be too far away, especially if you're...

Speaking only about the Mercado strip mall, not the good merchants whose shops are located there.

The shopping center itself is desperate for an upgrade. Aesthetically, very little in this center has changed in the 30 years I've lived in the area. The north end suite has been vacant for well over a decade, the merchant signs are worn and oxidized, the maintenance is mediocre... Frankly, the whole mall is just rundown.

On the positive side, the Mercado sign display on the corner of Grand and Rancho Santa Fe is updated...