Valencia Locations
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Valencia • Unclaimed

Valencia started off as a more rural counterpart to Alder Heights. However, as the decades passed, it became more residential, spawning suburban sprawl. Before long, the addition of train lines led to the area being fast-tracked into rapid urbanization, pushing agriculture out and bringing taller buildings (for its time) in. Its growth fed and encouraged several waves of immigrant populations to settle the area and build it further. Valencia is now home to not only a Little Italy and its own Chinatown and Koreatown, but also a large Barrio, as well as other smaller pockets of international businesses and clusters. Its vibrant diversity has led to it being regarded by out-of-towners as “Ridgefield’s Epcot.”

Akelarre Apothecary

Owner: Hilargi Ibaiguren
The Akelarre Apothecary is a queer and supernatural-friendly center in Valencia for all things witchcraft and healing, both physical and spiritual. Take a look at its inventory of crystals, healing elixirs, tarot, herbs, candle incense, oils, ointments and more. They also offer magical healing services on a sliding scale and have a yoga studio in the back of the shop.

Genesis

A glowing internet café and gaming lounge open 24/7. Whether your phone's busted and you need internet or whether you want to spend all night conquering the online gaming world, Genesis has you covered.

Golden Dragon Mall

While it isn’t the largest Ridgefield has to offer, multiple Asian clothing and jewelry stores line the upper floor of this mall situated in Valencia’s Chinatown, making it a fun place for fashionistas to come through and find the latest cutting edge styles from the Far East. Meanwhile, the lower floor is a full-on culinary paradise of a food court, with a cramped seating area encircled by small stalls headed by immigrant chefs (mostly of grandparent age) and featuring a variety of authentic cuisines from China, Vietnam, and Korea.

Shiva Shakti Mandir

This ornate two-story Hindu temple welcomes devotees and guests for Hindu holidays and personal prayers. In the entrance lobby is a place to remove your shoes and rinse your feet before heading upstairs. The top floor is decorated with marble flooring and pillars, and gold, silver, or stone idols to gods, goddesses, and holy figures and animals. The bottom floor (shoes permitted) houses a grand cafeteria where free vegetarian food is served to all, regardless of religious background.

Sunrise Deli

A tiny and crowded but popular Puerto Rican bodega and one of the oldest family-owned shops in Valencia, Sunrise Deli is the best place to grab a cup of coffee, freshly-made giant deli sandwich, home supplies, groceries, phone chargers, calling cards, and more essentials. Seating is limited to a pair of two-person tables tucked outside the building. Don’t forget to say hi to the bodega cat!

Urban Roots Park

At its center, Urban Roots features a blooming community garden, offering plots for free rental (first come, first served) for aspiring gardeners to grow greenery that their urban homes lack space to support. Sprinkled around the gardens along intermittently maintained paths are benches, children’s play areas (including a splash pad), and exercise stations for the fitness-minded. A few riverside seating areas make Urban Roots especially lovely for watching sunsets over the water.

Valencia Square

Often the heart of many cultural festivals and parades, Valencia Square changes appearance by the month. The large fountain located at its center is filled with hopeful pennies and flocked endlessly by pigeons. Street chess is the favorite hobby of older locals who stir before the sun rises, and different groups of them can more often than not be seen moving large figurines across white and black squares painted upon the ground.
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