An Oasis in the East Mountains: The Heart and Heritage of Lantern Ridge Farm Market

Nestled along the scenic NM-14 in Sandia Park, where the air is a little crisper and the pace a little slower, sits a burgeoning community landmark that is part plant nursery, part gourmet food, part market, and entirely a family labor of love.

Lantern Ridge Farm Market and Nursery isn’t just a business; it’s a career-shifting, 80-hour-a-week commitment to building what general manager Ethan Stockton calls a “little oasis” for locals and Albuquerque travelers alike.

---

From Clinical Practice to Country Roots

The story of Lantern Ridge is one of unexpected transitions. Before the market opened its doors in May 2022, the family’s professional lives looked very different. One brother, Seth Stockton, was (and still is) a dentist next door; Ethan was a practicing physical therapist.

“I quit my career,” Ethan explains, recalling how he initially stepped in just to help his brother with the build-out. “I kind of fell in love with it… My mom (Lisa) was able to come out of retirement to work full-time. It’s been pretty fun.”

---

That “fun” involves a relentless work ethic. Raising a business from the ground up in the East Mountains means 60-to-80-hour weeks, with the family often meeting to strategize. While Seth handles the nursery and the “big picture” decisions, his brother manages the kitchen and daily operations, and their mother, Lisa, runs the front market and coordinates events.

“It’s great working with my mother because I know she is someone I can depend on. She always has great ideas, and our customers love her, too,” Ethan said.

History Reimagined

The site at 12540 NM-14 has a long history in Sandia Park. Since the 1970s, it was known as “Pete’s Home of the Half Breed,” a beloved local restaurant. After Pete passed away, the building saw a rotation of different eateries until the Stockton brothers saw its potential.

---

Today, half the building serves as the dental office, while the other half has been transformed into a multi-faceted destination:

• The Nursery: A sprawling area featuring a massive new greenhouse for seedlings, trees, shrubs, and succulents.
• The Market: A curated “Country Store” featuring nostalgic and unique items sourced from across the country—from Vermont maple syrup to Dutch stroopwaffels to cheese from across the country.
• The Kitchen: A sandwich shop focused on freshness, featuring house-smoked meats and eggs gathered daily from the family farm.

---

A Menu Built on Freshness

The food at Lantern Ridge isn’t your standard fare. The brothers have leaned into a “hands-on” philosophy that includes smoking their own turkey and brisket and designing seasonal specials that transport diners to other parts of the country.

---

“We try to make it as authentic as possible. It’s the Minnesota Walleye—we want you to feel like you’re in that state eating that sandwich,” Ethan said.

For those looking for a more formal experience, the market hosts “Tasting the World” dinner nights, tea parties, and Valentine’s Day events, offering three- and four-course meals that provide a sit-down, weighted service experience rare for the area.

The family’s nearby farm provides much of the produce (if there’s not hail) and there’s an army of hens providing about 30 dozen eggs a day. Much of the fare is produced locally.

---

Building Memories and Community

Beyond the retail and the food, the Stocktons are focused on the “wow” factor of the experience. It isn’t uncommon for customers to arrive for a morning coffee and stay for six hours, walking their dogs around the property or browsing the crafters’ markets.

The future of Lantern Ridge is even more ambitious. Construction is currently underway on a new barn and venue space intended for weddings and private catering.

---

“I like memories,” Stockton says. “For me, being part of that in someone’s life—where they say, ‘Remember we went to Lantern Ridge for your birthday?’—that’s kind of cool.”

Visit Lantern Ridge

• Location: 12540 NM-14, Sandia Park, NM 87047
• Peak Season: April through October (Open year-round)
• What to look for: Farm-fresh breakfast burritos, unique small-batch gift items, and the latest seedlings in the greenhouse. The sandwich of the month is a go-to must and as Ethan says, “We want to give you that authentic experience.”
• Phone: (505) 395-7774.
• Hours: Open 7 Days a week 7:30 AM – 4 PM