Diane Powers’ Bazaar del Mundo and Casa de Pico Celebrate 50 Years in San Diego
Fifty years ago, Diane Powers had a vision: create a unique shopping and dining experience in San Diego that would replicate the beautiful bazaars in Mexico she so admired. That vision resulted in Bazaar del Mundo – a vibrant attraction that drew thousands of visitors to San Diego’s historic Old Town State Park every year.
Today, Powers’ popular Bazaar del Mundo Shops in Old Town and Casa de Pico restaurant in La Mesa’s Grossmont Center are gearing up to celebrate their 50-year anniversary in a festive and powerful way. The 50th anniversary celebration will begin on November 4 through November 7. Customers can enjoy vibrant fiestas at both the Bazaar del Mundo Shops and at Casa de Pico.
“This November marks a milestone for our businesses,” says owner and operator Diane Powers. “We couldn’t have done it without our devoted customers and longtime dedicated staff, whose continued support has been the foundation of our success.”
Guests are invited to celebrate at “Bazaar del Mundo’s 50th Anniversary Fiesta and Marketplace” that will begin on November 4, Thursday at 11 a.m. with a kickoff celebration at 6 p.m. with VIP guests, mariachi, folklorico dancers and longtime Bazaar del Mundo favorite TINKU (a Latin American folk band), birthday cake, and other surprises.
Throughout the weekend guests will enjoy a lively marketplace filled with colorful and elaborately decorated booths and a showcase of authentic handcrafted art, jewelry, vibrant Mexican clothing and more. Visiting artists will include Bazaar del Mundo favorites, Mata Ortiz pottery, Jacobo Angeles Oaxacan wood carvings, Pedro Montaño Oaxacan weaversand other local artists.
Patrons of Casa de Pico will be treated to a 50th celebration with live entertainment, collectables and culinary fare. For the occasion, the restaurant will offer a special anniversary menu, crafted by Powers and longtime manager Lino Rodarte, that will include customer-favorites like the Cheese Crisp – a popular item that has been on the menu since opening in 1971.
Opened in 1971, Bazaar del Mundo has been recognized by the California Department of Tourism, the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau (now the San Diego Tourism Authority), the San Diego Restaurant Association, the American Institute of Architects and numerous others for outstanding contributions to culture, design, tourism and food.
Casa de Pico was Powers’ first restaurant and originally located within Old Town State Park. Powers leased the site of the rundown and boarded-up Casa de Pico Motel from the State and began a legendary transformation of the space to create Bazaar del Mundo, a colorful complex of shops and restaurants, including Casa de Pico.
Casa de Pico relocated to La Mesa’s Grossmont Center in 2005 and is frequently voted the “Best Mexican Restaurant” and “Best Margaritas” in San Diego County by the readers of The San Diego Union-Tribune, La Mesa Courier, East County Californian and more.
The Bazaar del Mundo Shops and Casa Guadalajara are at the north entrance to Old Town on the corner of Juan and Taylor. Casa de Pico is located at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa. Casa de Bandini is located at 1901 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad. For more information, visit www.bazaardelmundo.com.
Category: Events, feature, Historical, Local News, Restaurants
