The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center has begun phase II of its development project, Avanyu Plaza creating a new hub for local business in Albuquerque. Avanyu Plaza is a new business park that is slated to open in late fall across from IPCC in the open lot.

One of the larger businesses moving into the upcoming 12th St. area is a new branch of U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union. The location will better serve members located in the North Valley and Downtown neighborhoods.

Plans are in the works to open a new restaurant in the space, 12th Street Tavern. The tavern will offer the experience of a neighborhood eatery but with a sports bar. The menu will include comfort food intended with open seating, a large selection of local beers on tap and a cocktail menu. The space will allow for both indoor and outdoor dining options.

The development is attracting a large number of restaurants that will benefit from the cultural draw of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Itality Plant Based Foods is one of a host of businesses moving into the new space. The vegan eatery is owned and operated by Tina Archuleta, a member of the Jemez Pueblo. In an press release Archuleta noted that a major motivation for her to locate her business near the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center was the immediate positive impact that she will have on Indigenous communities in New Mexico. 

Rude Boy Cookies announced that they will open their fourth location in the new business district. In an interview with The Paper., founder & co-owner Michael Silva expressed his enthusiasm for their new location and the opportunities and partnerships that the new location has. “For us it’s an opportunity to serve a part of the city that we don’t currently serve. We’re in the UNM area, the NE Heights and Old Town, and that’s a part of town where we see an opportunity to serve folks. And in my opinion, it is a hotbed for potential customers,” Silva said. Silva added that, “The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is a major draw, so I’m very excited to serve both tourists and locals out of that location.

“First of all, I get to be in business with the Indian Pueblo consortium that runs Indian Pueblo Cultural Center there, so that’s exciting. And I have some friends who currently own businesses in the area, and they’ve told me that the relationships are really good, that the landlords are exceptional, how they handle their tenants.

“I’m looking to plant some roots there and let that be one of our locations that last forever,” Silva said.   

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center announced that there will be three buildings, amounting to 21,000 sq. ft. of commercial space as part of phase II of the development. The property under development as part of phase II is a mix of properties owned by the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center as well as private tenants.

Most of the businesses in the new development are expected to open by the end of 2021.