Lote 23

How Lote 23 Became a Community Wellness Space after Hurricane Maria | Bon Appétit

"Opened in late 2016 in the Santurce neighborhood of San Juan by co-founder Cristina Sumaza, this trendy outdoor food park transformed an empty lot into a convivial hub with 16 kiosks serving international and Caribbean dishes from celebrated chefs and rising stars. When Hurricane Maria struck, the space weathered the storm with mostly landscaping damage, reopened within two weeks using a generator to power vendors, and became an important community refuge — hosting expanded open-air yoga classes taught by El Estudio volunteers, live music through a partnership with Stageboom featuring acts like Émina, Beto Torrens and Roots Ensemble, and pop-up kitchens from chefs such as Carlos Portela of Orujo. Vendors adapted menus to whatever local produce was available, and kiosks like Croquetería helped sustain cooks financially while offering comforting items (queso manchego and ham croquetas with tomato chutney, mac-and-cheese variations, paletas in flavors such as mango chile and strawberry cheesecake). Operating six days a week, the park now combines artisan markets, themed weekend dinners, an Airstream cocktail bar, picnic tables, colorful murals and string lights — with generators kept close by as a pragmatic reminder of ongoing electrical uncertainty and the organizers’ aim to keep the space feeling homey for locals and visitors alike." - ByLigaya Malones