Sellers in South Central LA are evicted and in an attempt to generate income, they decide to place their products on the street.

It has been more than a month since almost 50 vendors of the swap meet Los Amigos Mall, in South Central Los Angeles, were evicted without prior notice.

Now several of them are selling on the sidewalk, just outside the place, while looking for other options to stay in the future. Others think that with the closure they already lost everything.

Following the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the swap meet — located on Jefferson Boulevard and Maple Street — was forced to close its doors in mid-March. By May, when the vendors expected to return to sell, they were greeted with a letter from the owner advising them that they had 30 days to vacate their premises completely.

Luz Ponce, who had a store where she sold rock items and clothing for more than 20 years in said establishment, said they do not know the owner’s plans for the swap meet but have heard that they want to rebuild the area.

“At first we all thought that we were going to be able to return, but now we don’t think that will happen anymore,” said the 55-year-old woman.

“What bothers us the most is that [el dueño] He never showed us his face. He gave us no explanation. “

Ponce said that in an effort to be able to make some money in order to reach a solution, and with the announcement that some businesses could already open, just under a dozen sellers decided to return to sell at the swap meet bench. .

The vendors said that the owner of the place initially wanted to remove them but could not because the sidewalk is a public area.

“Luckily the police have not reached us either and nobody is bothering us anymore,” Ponce said. “We are selling something, at least to get [algo en] the day”.

No future options

Angela Velasco, is another saleswoman evicted from the swap meet Los Amigos Mall.

He says that for more than 25 years he dedicated himself to selling small pets and everything related to their care.

The 74-year-old saleswoman said that this swap meet was her perfect job for several reasons. One of them, due to the proximity to her home to which she could go and return in a short time.

“I can’t go to another swap meet because I have my sick husband at home and he can’t even feed himself,” Velasco said.

“I was in charge of stopping him from having lunch and at noon I went to see him to feed him.”

Velasco said that when he was notified of the permanent closure, he suffered greatly. Like other sellers, a month ago he tried to sell to the swap meet bench but it was very difficult.

“The truck I have is useless and I have no money to fix it, so I took the merchandise in the morning in my husband’s wheelchair,” she recalled.

“I made two trips. My house is about five blocks away, and I did sell about 40 dollars, but the next day I didn’t return. “

The unsold animals were given to her daughter, who also runs a pet store in Lynwood.

Velasco said that for now she only supports herself from the checks she receives for caring for her disabled husband. This helps you pay your $ 600 rent and your primary household expenses.

However, he said he still owes money on merchandise he bought before the pandemic and that, as usual, he took it out on credit.

He also had a person who loaned him money when he did not have enough and soon could pay back, with the income he had from his sales.

“Right now they charge me everywhere,” said Velasco. “They completely crushed me because I can’t start from scratch again.”

So far there is a group of almost 20 sellers who are in the process of suing the owner.
Knowing that the swap meet will not reopen, they expect to receive at least compensation for so many years of working in the same place and an unjustified eviction.

La Opinion tried to contact the owner but there was no response.

Councilman Curren D. Price Jr. recently met with vendors to assist them. (Councilor Curren D. Price Jr.’s Office)

Help from the area councilor

Councilman Curren D. Price Jr.’s office, who represents the area, said they have obtained legal and technical assistance for vendors.

In addition, the Business Resource Center (BRC) has informed business owners of other local swap meets that they have space available in case they are interested in receiving more people.

“The councilman recently signed a letter with the representative law firm that is working with tenants that was sent to the landlord warning that the eviction from Los Amigos Mall is inappropriate,” said Angelina Valencia, communications director for Price Jr.

“The councilor is committed to ensuring that these providers are treated with respect and decency in these difficult times.”

Valencia said the councilman’s office will continue to monitor the outcome of the situation.

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