November 2024 | Issue No. 54

Hello & welcome to my November newsletter. Does anyone else feel like time has been flying lately?! As we approach the holidays, I wanted to give a shoutout to an area vibrant with small businesses who may get overlooked in our day to day travels around the city. The East Mountains are less than half an hour from Albuquerque, depending on which community you are visiting, so its perfect for a mini road trip! I recently had a beautiful listing in Sandia Park so I was back & forth several times & realized how much I enjoy visiting the area, the charming shops & restaurants around the Tijeras, Cedar Crest & Sandia Park communities. 

Photo from Lantern Ridge Farm Market

Located in Sandia Park, Lantern Ridge Farm Market has something for everyone. It is my perfect one-stop-shop because they have all of my favorite things, including many vegetarian & gluten free options. You'll find a restaurant, bakery & coffee shop, market shopping & a nursery. They also offer catering & host events at the charming mountain property. Opened in May 2022, this family owned & operated business is passionate about community & make every opportunity to connect & give back. They host a weekly farmer's market from late May through October that gives local growers, artisans & musicians a place to showcase their talents & wares. If you missed this season of their farmer's market, don't worry. They will be hosting three holiday markets on November 29, December 7 & 14 with festive shopping & photos with Santa during the December dates. 

 

View from Lantern Ridge Farm

Located in Tijeras, Roots Farm Cafe serves up delicious & nutritious food while supporting the local community. They partner with local farmers & producers, as well as creating inspired dishes made from ingredients grown on their small, horse-powered farm. The farm uses natural & sustainable growing practices. They keep the locals coming back again & again for the ever-changing day to day menu based on seasonal availability. They have created a welcoming environment that invites visitors to enjoy their cozy indoor seating or sunny outdoor options. You can also browse & buy produce, goods & art from many community members. All who visit are treated as a friend & neighbor.

Photo from Cabra Coffee

Cabra Coffee is a specialty coffee shop located in Cedar Crest. With a cozy atmosphere, it's a favorite spot for locals to work, study or relax. They offer specialty coffee serving Coava Coffee, loose leaf tea from NM Tea Co., herbal teas from Nepantla Farms, house-made chai & delicious baked goods. They focus on serving up local & sustainable ingredients. Visitors & locals alike love the beautiful views from the patio & the friendly & welcoming attitude of the staff. This cozy spot is the perfect place to warm up on a cold winter day.

Photo from Rumor Brewing Co.

Also in Cedar Crest is the mountain destination for house-crafted beers, brick oven pizzas & live music, Rumor Brewing Co. They are home to one of the top beer gardens in New Mexico, filled with trees & flowers that invite wildlife to enjoy alongside patrons. The Mountain Stage offers a place for musicians of different genres to showcase their talents monthly during the summer. In the colder months, the music moves to a heated patio. They have created a spot that encourages visitors to hang out, play games & enjoy the beautiful environment. It's dog friendly too, so it's the perfect place to visit after a hike with your pups or on a road trip between Albuquerque & Santa Fe. 

Photo from Polks Folly Farm

One of my favorite Albuquerque Downtown Growers' Market vendors, Polks Folly Farm is located in Cedar Crest. In addition to vending at markets & supplying ingredients to many neighboring eateries, they operate a small family-run local food shop offering humanely raised meats, fresh eggs, pesticide-free veggies & other goods. Their ethos is “short supply chains, meaning as few folks as possible between you & your food.” They make their sausage in house from heritage breed pork & is really the only place I buy pork these days. Their goal is to create an agricultural model that is regenerative & “socially as well as economically sustainable.” They are a trusted & highly valued contributor to our local economy & food chain.

Photo from Greenside Cafe

Greenside Cafe, located in Cedar Crest, offers mountain upscale ambience. Opened in 2007, they have been serving the East Mountains their famous chicken fried steak & Friday fish fries for nearly two decades. They offer a wide variety of flavors & dishes alongside local beer & wine. One of the weekly highlights is the rotating variety of tacos you can find to satisfy your Taco Tuesday cravings. This local favorite cafe has created a welcoming atmosphere that nourishes the community with comfort food.

Photo from BackRoads Home Decor

BackRoads Home Decor in Cedar Crest is a destination of ever-changing vintage, antique & farmhouse inspired decor. This unique shop is the perfect spot to stop in if you need a seasonal refresh for your home & are seeking something one of a kind that your interior decorator will approve. With inspired displays & a curated mix of home decor & antiques, you're sure to find that special something you've been searching for, especially with the holidays coming up. They have a great range of prices & also host painting, crafting & furniture repurposing classes. If you love to decorate, this is a must stop when visiting the East Mountains. 

Tinkertown is a folk art museum located in Sandia Park. The building that houses the museum began as a four room summer cabin & was transformed into a 22 room experience over the course of  40 years. This magical one of a kind museum includes 20,000+ hand carved miniatures in various old time scenes. Prepare to take a trip back in time as you explore Old West memorabilia & exhibits alongside miniatures by Ross Ward. Tinkertown is one of my very favorite places to take out of town friends & family when they visit.  This special place is closed for the 2024 season but will re-open on April 4, 2025 for their 42nd season, so make sure you put it on your spring list.

November Special Offer!

Photo from Lantern Ridge Farm Market

Going into the holidays is a great time to buy a home! With more homes on the market & fewer active buyers, you have a better chance to negotiate seller paid closing costs & lower sales price than in the busy spring market. Give me a call if you are planning on selling your home or looking for your dream home for the holidays. There's still time to accomplish your 2024 real estate goals. 

I'm grateful to have been invited to attend the prestigious RE/MAX Elite Retreat for the fourth year in a row. This is a mastermind networking event of the top 1% of RE/MAX brokers in the US & Canada where the focus is how to best to serve our customers in buying & selling residential property. If you need a great realtor anywhere in the US or even the world, chances are I can connect you with the right person. Please reach out to me, I'm happy to help!

Thanks for joining me here again this month. As the hectic holiday season approaches, I hope you'll consider supporting our local communities when thinking of gift giving. I know I'm planning on being very intentional this season, keeping our local economy thriving helps us in so many ways. See you next month!

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