Situated on W. Bell Vista Avenue—one of many primary routes resulting in Loss of life Valley Nationwide Park—the Loss of life Valley Market is a cheerful, curiosity-filled oasis that has grow to be a must-stop vacation spot for vacationers and locals alike. Opened in October 2021 by entrepreneurs Aliana and Timothy Quinata, the shop presents a mix of nostalgia, regional attraction, and real neighborhood spirit.
Photograph by Megan Edwards
Housed in a once-abandoned constructing simply west of the Hearth Division, the shop got here to life after an in depth renovation that reworked the construction right into a vibrant gathering spot. Inside, you’ll discover an eclectic and pleasant combine: bins of old school candies, a wall of greater than 100 distinctive sodas, hand-made soaps and face lotions from the Quinatas’ personal HawaiianCandle model, Thrifty ice cream, locally-produced honey, quirky postcards, and even cheeky gadgets like “Dry Ass Lip Balm.” The Market additionally sells Nationwide Park entry passes and sizzling meals, together with their much-talked-about Prickly Pear Chili Canine.
The story of the Market started years earlier. Initially based mostly in Hawaii, the Quinatas offered locally-made tub and physique merchandise to vacationer retailers earlier than relocating to Las Vegas in 2008, then Pahrump in 2017. After noticing the dearth of present retailers catering to Loss of life Valley guests, they determined to fill the hole themselves—and constructed rather more than a retailer within the course of.
In November 2023, the Quinatas started the allowing course of to accommodate six burros, which sparked the founding of a nonprofit known as Donkeys of Pahrump. What began with a bonded pair of burros, Daisy and Peaches, has grown right into a full-fledged sanctuary, now residence to a miniature pony (Religion), a Welsh pony (Bo), and an Appaloosa horse (Kay). The mission? To “take care of, protect, and reintegrate wild donkeys into the Pahrump neighborhood by offering a sanctuary.”
Photograph by Megan Edwards
Guests can feed the animals for simply $3 per cup of feed—out there inside the shop—and it’s widespread to see smiling visitors, each vacationers and locals, interacting with the pleasant, well-cared-for animals. Particular enclosures constructed by the Donkeys of Pahrump group preserve the animals protected and content material, and on any given day, you’ll probably encounter at the very least seven resident animals basking within the desert solar or posing for pictures.
To assist their increasing sanctuary, the Quinatas continuously host neighborhood fundraisers, inviting native artisans and bakers to arrange store exterior the shop. Throughout a current Could go to, indicators for a Mom’s Day celebration promised photograph cameos with the burros—one more instance of the enjoyable, interactive attraction that defines this desert gem.
Whether or not you’re in your option to Loss of life Valley or just passing via, the Loss of life Valley Market is greater than definitely worth the cease. Heat, imaginative, and deeply rooted in its neighborhood, it’s a one-of-a-kind vacation spot the place good vibes and good causes meet.
Loss of life Valley Market and Donkeys of Pahrump is positioned at 3280 Bell Vista Ave. in Pahrump, Nevada simply earlier than leaving city when heading to Loss of life Valley and the Ash Meadows Nationwide Wildlife Refuge.
