Taos, N.M. – On Nov. 7, Cid’s Food Market marked four decades of community‑focused grocery service with a festive celebration that included live music from Big Violet, complimentary burger samples and tastings of coffee, wine and craft spirits in the market’s parking lot.
From humble beginnings to a regional presence
Founders Cid and Betty Backer opened the original natural grocery in 1986 in the space now occupied by Guadalajara Grill on El Prado. After several expansions, the family purchased land down the road and launched the current north‑side location in 1998. Since then the business has grown to include a second store in Taos Ski Valley and a sister shop, The Cellar, that sells wine, beer and spirits.
“We started this place on peanuts – we couldn’t even pave half the parking lot,” Cid Backer said during the anniversary festivities. “Seeing it grow into a 40‑year‑old community hub feels like a wonderful accomplishment.”
Family leadership drives the next phase
Second‑generation Backers Lee and Angelica now run the market as general manager and chief financial officer. Under their stewardship, Cid’s is preparing to open a third location on the south side of town next summer. The new 20,000‑square‑foot store will be larger than the existing 13,000‑square‑foot north‑side site at 623 Paseo del Pueblo Norte and will feature an expanded prepared‑foods section, a hot‑pizza station, a smoothie and juice bar, and a larger produce and meat department.
Lee Backer explained the concept: “We’re bringing a modern grocery experience that lets customers order a smoothie on an app, pick it up, and have it ready to go. The layout follows the ‘perimeter shopping’ model that works well for natural foods.” He expects the new store to create 40‑50 additional jobs and to promote internal advancement for the roughly 100 employees the market already employs.
Community‑first philosophy
The Backers credit their success to the trust built with Taos residents and local producers. Pat Pacheco, owner of Pacheco Custom Meats, praised the partnership, noting that selling at Cid’s has given his ranch a reliable retail outlet and allowed him to increase production. Pacheco also highlighted a collaboration with Not Forgotten Outreach Veteran’s Farm, where some of his cattle graze on a pasture across the street from the market.
“People from Taos love to support local food production, and Cid’s makes that easy,” Pacheco said.
Looking ahead
With the south‑side store slated to open in June, weather permitting, the Backers see the expansion as a continuation of their mission to provide high‑quality, additive‑free groceries while supporting local businesses and offering respectful employment. “We want customers to feel valued and to enjoy a shopping experience that feels like a community gathering,” Betty Backer added.
The anniversary celebration underscored Cid’s role as a cornerstone of Taos’ food scene, blending family values, faith‑based stewardship and a commitment to individual liberty through honest, transparent business practices.
Original reporting: Taos News — read the source article.
