Located on W. Bell Vista Avenue—one of the main routes leading to Death Valley National Park—the Death Valley Marketplace is a cheerful, curiosity-filled oasis that has become a must-stop destination for travelers and locals alike. Opened in October 2021 by entrepreneurs Aliana and Timothy Quinata, the store offers a blend of nostalgia, regional charm, and genuine community spirit.
Photo by Megan Edwards
Housed in a once-abandoned building just west of the Fire Department, the store came to life after an extensive renovation that transformed the structure into a vibrant gathering spot. Inside, you’ll find an eclectic and delightful mix: bins of old-fashioned candies, a wall of more than 100 unique sodas, hand-made soaps and face creams from the Quinatas’ own HawaiianCandle brand, Thrifty ice cream, locally-produced honey, quirky postcards, and even cheeky items like “Dry Ass Lip Balm.” The Marketplace also sells National Park entry passes and hot food, including their much-talked-about Prickly Pear Chili Dog.
The story of the Marketplace began years earlier. Originally based in Hawaii, the Quinatas sold locally-made bath and body products to tourist shops before relocating to Las Vegas in 2008, then Pahrump in 2017. After noticing the lack of gift shops catering to Death Valley visitors, they decided to fill the gap themselves—and built much more than a store in the process.
In November 2023, the Quinatas began the permitting process to house six burros, which sparked the founding of a nonprofit called Donkeys of Pahrump. What started with a bonded pair of burros, Daisy and Peaches, has grown into a full-fledged sanctuary, now home to a miniature pony (Faith), a Welsh pony (Bo), and an Appaloosa horse (Kay). The mission? To “care for, preserve, and reintegrate wild donkeys into the Pahrump community by providing a sanctuary.”
Photo by Megan Edwards
Visitors can feed the animals for just $3 per cup of feed—available inside the store—and it’s common to see smiling guests, both tourists and locals, interacting with the friendly, well-cared-for animals. Special enclosures built by the Donkeys of Pahrump organization keep the animals safe and content, and on any given day, you’ll likely encounter at least seven resident animals basking in the desert sun or posing for photos.
To support their expanding sanctuary, the Quinatas frequently host community fundraisers, inviting local artisans and bakers to set up shop outside the store. During a recent May visit, signs for a Mother’s Day celebration promised photo cameos with the burros—yet another example of the fun, interactive charm that defines this desert gem.
Whether you’re on your way to Death Valley or simply passing through, the Death Valley Marketplace is more than worth the stop. Warm, imaginative, and deeply rooted in its community, it’s a one-of-a-kind destination where good vibes and good causes meet.
Death Valley Marketplace and Donkeys of Pahrump is located at 3280 Bell Vista Ave. in Pahrump, Nevada just before leaving town when heading to the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and Death Valley National Park.
I’ve been to Pahrump but I missed this store.
Yes, it really is a cute store. And one I highly recommend.
On our next trip to Pahrump, we are planning to visit the Pahrump Valley Museum–-it looks adorable. Like the Clark County Museum in Henderson, they have moved in some period structures which will eventually be added to the museum.
Also there is a new tap room in town–Steel Bound Brewery & Distillery which we want to check out. There is also a meadery that has been there for a few years–Stonewise Mead and Cider.
And one can’t go to Pahrump without a meal at the Artisan Cellars. And the biggest news is that fancier restaurant at Charleston Peak Winery is getting ready to re-open. That room is one of our favorites in area, so pleased that the new owners have elected to restore it to its former glory.