Old Town Market Vendors Clash Over Historic Armijo House Doors

The historic Armijo House in Albuquerque's Old Town is at the center of a dispute between its owner and traditional market vendors. Owner George Cook plans to subdivide the 20,000-square-foot property into multiple storefronts, a move vendors argue will displace them from their long-established spots under the building's portal.

Cook installed double doors in October without permits, which have reduced the available space for the Old Town Portal Market vendors. Vendors, whose families have sold crafts there for generations, view this as a disruptive act driven by greed, threatening a tradition of trade dating back centuries.

The city's Landmarks Commission is scheduled to review the controversial doors on August 12. The commission's role is to govern development within designated historic areas. This review will determine whether Cook can keep the doors, impacting both his business plans and the preservation of the historic market's ambiance.

Vendors, who pay a $12 day-use fee and are considered a living exhibit, argue they draw tourists and contribute to the area's economic vitality. Cook counters that subdividing the space is an economic necessity due to the closure of La Placita restaurant and that the city could gain more tax revenue from shops. The ownership of the portal walkway is complex, as it was previously donated to the city and designated as the Old Town Portal Market.