The Marketplace

As you can tell it's been years since this area has gotten reviews. It's really sad, because this use to be the major place to eat, shop, watch a movie, or just hang out. Through the years businesses have came and went. Some really great businesses. Now the city or whoever owns this area has just let it get run down. I'm writing this review because I just seen a commercial for river lakes shopping area, and it reminded me how the marketplace use to be. Now don't get me wrong, Bakersfield is growing and we are getting a lot more shopping centers. But I'm just wondering why is the city of Bakersfield allowing this place to get run down. Especially because the area it's in. But what can you expect when it started many years ago from the east side heading west. They have allowed new businesses to be built only to forget about them and move on to the next bigger and better projects. Example the movie theater, very run down. The seats suck, the service is horrible, and it sticks as soon as you walk in. The landscape needs to be updated for the whole center. However they do have a few great restaurants. All the great boutiques have left. (I hear the rent/lease is outrageously high), I don't understand why they would put a sola salon next to essentials that has been there forever. Really hope someone starts investing back in to this place.

I just left there after a playoff football game with my girlfriend. Was. Vs Det. It was just before 10:00pm. Her stepdad is a 20 year Marine Veteran. As we stood there contemplating if one of us should go get the car, walking him out, i jokingly said maybe these guys will give us a ride to the car. What followed was a younger Mexican/Latin guy w/a short haircut giving me an extremely dirty look! So I asked him, "You have a problem with that"? He proceeded to tell me, "I don't give a fuck"! I was not serious About the request, but this young punk, should not be working in such a place if that's how he feels about our Nations Veterans. There was a young Black gentleman in a yellow vest standing right next to him. I told him he should be ashamed to stand next to such a piece of crap. It pissed me off immeasurably. I would have gone back if my girlfriend didn't prevent me. They know who was on the clock at that time. He needs to be reprimanded, if not fired. Makes me never wanna go there ever again if that's how they feel about our Nations Finest. The boyfriend of A.F. and proud American who will support our Veterans until the day I day.

This plaza is located in SW Bakersfield. I visit this plaza often since we live nearby. There's so many little shops in this area, you can pretty much find anything you need here.Some of my favorite restaurants are found here. The Marketplace always stays clean and up to date. My favorite time to visit is definitely during Via Arte.There's definitely lots of things to do here for everyone and there's always parking. Shops are easily accessible and this place keeps busy all week long.They don't only have boutiques and restaurants here, but you can find a grocery store, pharmacy, and other little department stores for your convenience.

Nice shopping center. Lots of shops and good quality restaurants to choose from. Includes a decent movie theater. Place is clean and not outdated. Not a bad place to spend the day with family or friends.

As most people in Bakersfield know, the Marketplace is an outdoor shopping center in Bakersfield. It's located on the corner of Ming Ave. and Haggin Oaks Boulevard.This is a nice place to hangout when the temperature is not too hot. Of course, you can always cool off with ice cream from Coldstone Creamery or Rite Aid. I believe their is also a new Yogurt Zone, but no more Baskin Robbins. After strolling and browsing the shopping center, it's cool to spend some time by the fountains at the center of the Marketplace. There are plenty of restaurants and shops. The places we frequent the most would be Tahoe Joes, Jamba Juice, Coldstone Creamery, and Applebees.Edwards Cinema seems to be the spot that attracts the most people. It's not the best movie theater in town, but it's not the worst either.Overall, I am a fan of the Marketplace. When the outside temperature is not overbearingly hot and the air not so polluted, the Marketplace is an awesome place to visit in Bakersfield.

I love coming to the market place when the weather is nice, they're are a variety of apps and restaurants to choose from. Love that I can have a drink, watch a movie, have a meal, and maybe do a little shopping all in one place and it's not inside a mall. Loved bringing the kids there when they were younger. Loved the little events they hold, from chalk street art, to the tree lighting ceremonies. It gets crowded at times, and some times the crowd isn't the kind of crowd you want to be around. No fault of The Make Place. Security is getting better with dealing people and/or kids that wasn't too act like fools. Come when they have music at the fountain! it's really cool to see people and socialize. Again, always better when it's cooler... It's a great place to have here in Bako! I hope it stays that way...

I've been here so many times as a teenager and now as an adult. Most of the times I'm either going to Jamba Juice or the theater. I don't visit the restaurants here cause to be honest I tend to forget them. The environment is nice majority of the time except when it's jammed packed with the teeny boppers hanging out and some doing things they shouldn't. There are some good restaurants here like: Tahoe Joes, Johnny Garlics, Miyoshi and a few others. Behind the theater you also have Toro and Lengthwise. Besides that you also have nice stores to check out and be a window shopper if you're killing time waiting for your movie. This place is a great venue for a nice family evening especially is you have family from out of town. I would like to see some improvements like a small bowling alley.

A nice place to go for a night out, grab lunch or even dinner. Landscaping is nice. Probably the nicest shopping center in Bakersfield really. The fountain, the flowers and greenery make it very beautiful, Teenybopper hangout on Friday and Saturday nights.. They seem to walk around aimlessly back and forth with their $2 rite aid ice creams Trying not to get a curfew vio from the security who is just waiting for 10pm. Movie theatre, a few nice restaurants, salon, a couple clothing stores, sportswear place, cleaners, fast food etc... Has a lot to offer here dining wise and entertainment wise. The Marketplace, 4 stars.

Theaters, restaurants, smoothies and coffee, upscale shopping, and even summer concerts by the fountain make for a four star experience most of the time. If you want to take a date out for dinner and a movie this is the most convenient spot in town. There are a wide variety of food options from sitdown restaurants (Tahoe Joe's, Mama Tosca's, Johnny Garlic, Lengthwise, Just Wing It, Johnny Rockets, Que Pasa, Toro Sushi, and Applebee's) to more casual order at the counter and sit indoors or at the tables out by the fountain options (Baja Fresh, Camille's, Me & Ed's Pizza, China Bistro, Carl's Jr., and Miyosh) you'll find something to suit everyone's taste, budget, and time constraints. Don't forget to finish off your meal with dessert at Coldstone Creamery, Yogurt Zone, or Rite Aid for frozen treats or go to Me & Ed's and order their HUGE fresh baked cookie. This is seriously the size of an individual pizza and comes steaming hot fresh from their ovens. There are a number of upscale clothing and accessory boutiques including, but not limited to Talbot's, Charming Charlie's, Victoria's, Bella, Chico's, White House Black Market, and Soma's Intimates. Even the fellas can get in on the action at Kaur Boutique and Jos. A Bank. I could happily wander around in Williams Sonoma all day, though I'd probably have to take out a second mortgage to purchase anything.Feel like spoiling yourself? You can get your nails done at Royal nails or let the people at Massage Envy or Essentiels Spa et Beaute spoil you, and spoil you they will. Don't forget Edwards Cinema. It's part of the Regal Cinema Family so get your Regal Rewards card and start earning free movies, popcorn, and other rewards. All the COOL kids are doing it. During the summer (June, July, and August) The Marketplace sponsors live music concerts by the fountain every Thursday night starting at 7:00 for your listening and dancing pleasure. They feature a variety of popular local bands playing all different types of music (pop, blues, jazz, funk, top 40, soul, Motown - you name it).On the practical side, you can go grocery shopping at Vons or pick of a variety of cosmetics and over the counter medications at Rite Aid.So HOW could I possibly not rate this amazing little shopping center five stars with all of these amazing attributes. Well, unfortunately it has become a hangout on Friday and Saturday nights for teenagers who are walking, running, and giggling everywhere. I have seen an increased security presence on these nights, yet my friend's 14 year old daughter was jumped and attacked by three teenagers she had never even met. Yes, the mom was not thrilled to receive a call from the police telling her that her daughter had been beat up while hanging out there with her friends. This mall is probably pretty safe for ADULTS to frequent, but I wouldn't let your teenager go there unaccompanied.All in all - a great shopping experience here in Bakersfield.PS - Feeling guilty I left out the store I frequent the most - ULTA has a great selection of cosmetics and hair, bath, and body products and their sales associates are helpful and knowledgeable. See my review of them for more deets.

The Marketplace is a really nice place for shopping and eating. Some of my favorite stores are in this center and there are lots of places to eat. The theater is nice with a lot of choices available.