Property for Lease

Located at 488 E Highway 333

Historic Route 66

Tijeras, NM 87059

Remodeled to accommmodate a restaurant

Rock wall and studio to the left (east), with the main building on the right.

Formerly Just Imagine Gallery and The Tijeras Open-Air Arts Market

Contact: Anna King, aking@imagineNM.net

With 1.55 acres, a perfect location for a restaurant or brewery.

Located across from the Tijeras Senior Center, and the Public Library, and west of the Western Store on Historic Route 66 (Hwy 333), and for fifteen years, home of Just Imagine Gallery, and the Tijeras Arts Market.

This scenic, property is located in Bernalillo county, in the incorporated Village of Tijeras, and is zoned CB1, Commercial Business property.

The front of the building when it was Just Imagine Gallery and Coffeehouse

Formerly Just Imagine Gallery & Coffee House and the Tijeras Open-Air Arts Market

Coffee house on the west side of Just Imagine Gallery

Six miles east of Albuquerque, just west of the I-40 Tijeras exit.

The Tijeras exit from I-40

The property will be available for lease after August 15, 2024.

Currently the restaurants in the Village of Tijeras consist of Roots Farm Cafe, and a Subway, but a larger, full service restaurant is greatly needed and desired in our community.

A food establishment that takes advantage of the great location, and large indoor and outdoor space, would be perfect.

The property is bordered on the north and east sides by a rock wall that is said to date back to the civil war when it is said to have been a remount fort.

Over the years it has been a dance hall, a general store, and a meeting place for people from surrounding farms and ranches to gather and trade or sell their goods. It is written that many couples met here and were married during those market days.

It has also been a residence to many families, and in 1998 became the site for Just Imagine Gallery & Coffeehouse, and the Tijeras Open-Air Arts Market in 2006.

Booths set up for the Tijeras Arts Market, weekends May - October

We have had many people stop in to tell us stories from their childhoods, about growing up on this scenic property, or in the village, and how they got apples from the orchard on the west side of the property. They've told us of adventures playing in the stream that flowed out back on the south side of the property, and of making jam from the yellow plum trees.

The 2400 sq ft main building was constructed from adobes said to have been made right on the property. In fact, we have the frame that was used to pour the adobe bricks.

The property also has a building formerly used as an art studio that is approximately 300-400 square feet. Additionally, an approximate 250 square foot Tuff shed, and an old adobe building used for storage are on the property.

Formerly an art studio

The west side of the studio on the east side of the property

A Tuff Shed on the south side behind the building

Building pictured on the east side with studio to the left, booths behind on the west side

In the remodeling that has been done over the 26 years we have owned this property, we have discovered bones, corn cobs, bullet shells, and pottery chards in the adobes we removed. The property was scattered with Native American pottery chards, and artifacts.

There is a water well, but the property is also connected to the Village of Tijeras water system. There is a lot of room in the outdoor areas for an arts and crafts fair, live entertainment, seating for restaurant customers, or whatever you have dreamed of creating.

Over the last several years, we have upgraded the building to commercial codes, using permits and professional contractors, and have completed the following improvements:

The septic tank has been removed, and the property is now connected to the Albuquerque Sewer System
We've installed a grease trap necessary for a full service restaurant
Upgraded to 400 amp electrical service
The building has been rewired and brought up to commerical codes
The plumbing has all been replaced to code
The building has been reroofed
Installed commercial grade waterproof luxury vinyl flooring throughout
Added two bathrooms, one is handicapped accessible
Installed additional exit doors
Replaced the hot water heater to commercial code
Installed two new windows
Shored up the foundation
Painted inside and out
Replaced all the light fixtures
Built a commercial kitchen area ready for your equipment
Installed floor drains
Installed a bar
Installed plumbing for coffee and soda stations
Installed a mini split HVAC system for energy efficient heating and cooling by room
Added two offices which could be removed if needed
Erected permitted booths for an outdoor arts and crafts fair
Installed a monitored alarm system
Built a 400 sq ft permitted hard roof booth ready for walls and a floor for an additional useful commercial space

Fireplace in the main room with new flooring throughout the building

Main room looking west through the rooms and north through the main room to the fireplace

Ceiling in main room with new lighting and electrical wiring throughout the building

East side interior of the south side of the main room

Aerial view of 488 and 486 E Highway 333 (Route 66)

Street view from west parking lot

The adjoining property to the west was previously the home of The Tijeras Open-Air Arts Market with two entertainment areas, and approximately 40 booths. The TOAAM operated for 7 years as a juried arts and crafts fair, every weekend May through October.

Come for the Art, Stay for the Music

Amy Blackburn and Katie Gill performing at the Tijeras Arts Market