Broadacres Marketplace Reopens After Shuttering Over Immigration Fears

Broadacres Marketplace in North Las Vegas.

Broadacres Marketplace will officially reopen to the public on Friday, August 1, resuming its normal weekend schedule after a six-week closure that began June 21 — just days after Border Patrol agents carried out an immigration enforcement sweep at a similar swap meet in Southern California.

The sprawling open-air market in North Las Vegas went quiet, citing safety concerns within the local immigrant community amid a wave of federal immigration raids. At the time of closing, a spokesperson for the market said the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution and concern” for its vendors, customers, and staff, many of whom are immigrants or second-generation U.S. citizens with family members who are immigrants. 

The shutdown displaced more than 1,100 small businesses — including food vendors like Birria de Res Zacatecas, Pupuseria El Cordero, and Las Enchiladas de Mama, who sell everything from handmade pupusas and birria tacos to mango chamoy snacks. The abrupt halt highlighted the deep unease rippling through immigrant communities as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) steps up operations in Nevada.

Since 1977, the 45-acre marketplace has served the communities of North Las Vegas — where the population is 41 percent Latino residents, according to 2024 Census data — and the larger Southern Nevada community. The doors will open at 4 p.m. on Friday and opening weekend will be marked by family-friendly activities, kids’ attractions, and a food fair with restaurant and snack vendors.

Broadacres announced the reopening on Instagram and several vendors and customers commented with both excitement and trepidation — calling for clearer guidance on what steps are being taken to protect the community. Representatives from Broadacres Marketplace did not respond to a request for comment.

Backstreet’s Back … as shrunken heads

Following their larger-than-life shows at the Sphere, the Backstreet Boys made a semi-secret appearance at the Golden Tiki. The preeminent Chinatown bar presented Nick Carter, Brian Littrell, and AJ McLean with custom shrunken heads — the latest additions to a collection that includes Bryan Cranston, Randy Couture, Robin Leach, Rod Stewart, Siegfried & Roy, and more. Since opening in 2015, the Golden Tiki has debuted more than 250 heads. It celebrates its 10th anniversary in August.

Nona’s Lobster Shack pops up at the Fontainebleau

Fontainebleau Las Vegas is going all-in on New England summer with Nona’s Lobster Shack, a new pop-up launching Saturday, August 2, inside Promenade Food Hall. The takeout menu includes lobster rolls with crab chips, New England clam chowder, shrimp cocktail, and sides like potato salad and coleslaw. There are also focaccia sandwiches filled with oven-roasted turkey, Italian tuna, fried chicken, and classic Italian deli meats. The shack will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Baja meets Vegas in one-night-only dinner

Sparrow + Wolf will host a special dinner on Sunday, August 3, with guest chefs David Castro Hussong and Maribel Aldaco Silva of Fauna — currently ranked number 17 on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. The one-night-only collaboration will blend Fauna’s modern Mexican cuisine with chef Brian Howard’s signature style. The $195 prix fixe meal includes Baja oysters, California halibut, heirloom corn, a variety of salsas, and more. Chef DJ Flores of Milpa and Nocturno is contributing yellow bolita corn from Oaxaca’s Central Valley, and local grower Desert Moon is supplying lion’s mane mushrooms. More details and reservations are available online.