Photo: Jacqueline García /The Opinion / Impremedia
Just days ago, various business owners from the North Hollywood Swap Meet received a letter, giving them 28 days to vacate the place; today fearful of losing their jobs, they literally cry out for help from the city of Los Angeles.
The Monday and Tuesday they carried out protests outside the premises as well as in front of the office of the councilor who represents the area, Paul Krekorian (CD2), so that they find a solution to the notification they received so suddenly.
Roberto López, who has had his Mexican food restaurant at the swap meet for eight years, said that what they are facing is already cruel that the closure could affect around 30 businesses.
Some establishments are multi-generational and have up to 30 years or more. Roberto explains that many of these businesses hire employees who would also be affected.
“The letter says that we have to vacate until 19 in March because the lease on the property expired and they no longer want to renew it,” he explained. “So we are fighting for them to give us a direct lease agreement with the owner of the land since the owner of the swap meet no longer wants to continue.”
Roberto said that the main problem is that a license is needed to manage the swap meet and without that document, the owner cannot rent the property to them.
“We are asking the councilman talk to them to help us get the license, to speed up the process or tell us what we should do”.
I confess that I do not know what the land use objective would be, but since the area is industrial, it could be used in different ways.
Luis Romero, who has had his business repairing shoes for more than eight years at the swap meet, said that it is very inconsiderate that they want to fire them with such little notice and without giving them options.
He assured that the place is a pleasant place, not only for business owners but also for families -many of them low-income- who enjoy visiting the swap meet to have fun.
“It’s not fair that they do this to families who are workers and need the money to pay their expenses and support their families,” he said.
“On Monday [28 de febrero] we pay our rent and pa It was Wednesday [2 de marzo] that we received the letter”.
He added that he was one of several businessmen who came to Councilman Krekorian’s office in North Hollywood to ask for help but no one answered the door.
He indicated that he will participate in all the necessary movements to attract the attention of the councilor and the city council so that hundreds of families who benefit from the jobs at the swap meet are not displaced.
He added that if the eviction is imminent, they should be given at least three months to be able to look for something with more time.
Stories of resilience
When Wendy Delgado received the stimulus checks from the federal government for her three children, she decided that she would invest them in order to create more profits instead of spending them all at once. It was thus that a little over eight months ago he opened his first business at the swap meet in North Hollywood selling tupperware and kitchen items.
“It was a very good option because I had my baby very small and that way I can bring him here,” said the woman this Wednesday as she pushed her 2-year-old baby’s stroller towards her business.
However, like dozens of other business owners at the swap meet, he received the notification that fell flat on his face. cold water.
The letter dated 19 February 2022 and signed by Fred Kim, president of the North Hollywood swap meet, indicates that he can no longer renew the agreement with the property owner whose name was withheld.
“They don’t give us options, they just say it’s closed and nothing else,” Delgado said worriedly. “They don’t consider us as people or realize how much they are affecting us.”
Across the hall Mirza Garza was with her children, 5 and 2 years old. She started her business four years ago and said that although she doesn’t make much money from the sale, it helps her get by while taking care of her two children.
Indicated not being able to accept what is happening and said she felt extremely worried and stressed.
“I just got a second store and they didn’t tell me anything… I went to a cundina to get more merchandise and now I don’t know what I’m going to do,” he said.
Garza, who sells cleaning and household items, said that her home is very small and if she is forced to close You will have to rent a place to store your merchandise, which would be an extra expense without receiving any income in return.
Both Delgado and Garza said they have no vehicles and walk from their homes to the swap meet.
Juana Medina, owner of a menswear business, said the family business was started by her father more than 20 years ago. and 20 years and eventually she continued to run it.
Now the business consists of two locations that are face to face and they are the main breadwinner for their family.He said that already He has looked for a place but the rent is extremely expensive and he does not think that in just over two weeks he will be able to find something that fits his budget.
“I get stressed because we get money for the week from here, from here we pay for the house and all our expenses”… If we have to leave [al menos] give us more time”.
Susy Lemus, who has had her party arrangement business with her sister for more than 10 years, said that it is unfair that the owner does not want to deal with them to reach a solution.
“Many of us depend on businesses to survive, here we are like a to the family… But so far the owner has not appeared or listened to us.”
He added that he What irritates her the most is that in one of the two notifications they were sent to vacate, they are told that if they don’t leave by 31 of March will be forced to pay a fine of $675.
Roberto López said the councilman’s office suggested they apply for small business assistance for those who qualify or seek legal advice.
“But they are not understanding us, what we are doing is for them to pressure the owner of the land so that they give us the lease and we have the necessary license”.
The businessmen said that they will keep their requests for help and demonstrations every day until someone comes to support them.
“We don’t want more news and that they continue to put us on TV and in the newspaper, we want someone to come and tell us: ‘We are going to help’”, stressed another frustrated businesswoman who did not want to provide her name.
Real America News tried to get a comment by the owners of the North Hollyw ood Swap Meet at press time there was no response.
For its part, the office of Councilman Krekorian said in a statement that he is concerned vendors at the venue will be affected by the impending closure.
“ The Councilman would prefer that this business continue in its current location, but unfortunately, the operator of the swap meet is not interested in renewing his lease”, indicates the communicated.
Added that because the contractual matter is between private parties, the City of Los Angeles has no direct authority over them.
“If the swap meet operator finds another place to do business in Council District 2, this office will be happy to expedite the license and permit process,” the statement concluded.