With the reopening of businesses and activities after a year of severe restrictions in Los Angeles, many vendors fear that they will not be able to return to work on the streets as they did before the pandemic.
Others say they are concerned about the theft and mistreatment they face when going out to their sales and the little
support they receive from local authorities .
Eliel García, a seller of artisanal ice creams, said that although he has not been fined by the police, they have seized his snow cart. The man has sold on the streets for more than 14 years, primarily in the MacArthur Park area.
“But I am not opposed because I am a peaceful person,” said the seller of 51 year old. “If they take away the cart I have to buy everything again but at least I have no record that I had problems with the police.”
He says that during the pandemic he risked going out to sell his snows since he has a family in Mexico that he must support.
“And also to pay the rent here because they don’t forgive you with the rent,” he said.
For now you are waiting to see what the new city rules will be for street vendors. You think you should use a sales cart that is approved by the city but you hope to get one that is within your budget.
“The last I know is that the city does not want to authorize us because we do not have the specific cart and as small business owners we would like them to give us one that does not need a vehicle to transport it ”, explained García.
Free workshops
To clarify all these questions and obtain pertinent help depending on the product they sell and the location where they are located, the Los Angeles Street Services Bureau ( Streets LA) is collaborating today with local community groups, the Mexican Consulate General in Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to conduct free informational workshops.
The workshops are carried out via Zoom for a time of 51 minutes. Some topics that have been touched on is how to obtain permits from the city of Los Angeles, the county and the state. The next one will be about street vendor safety.
David Rivera, StreetsLA Deputy Chief, said earlier in 2020 began with in-person informational workshops for vendors. This in response to a law that was passed in the 1055, The Safe Sidewalk Vending Act – the ordinance determines where street vendors can operate, the permitting process, how the city should handle the new law and fines.
The rule allows street vendors to obtain a state vendor’s permit and a business license from the City of Los Angeles. Both permits are free.
The third street vendor permit, issued by the Los Angeles Department of Public Works, has a cost of $ 291. For July, it will increase to $ 541.
The problem that existed is that during the pandemic the offices were closed and many street vendors did not know how to obtain these permits.
Advising small entrepreneurs
Dorima Hamilton, executive director of the Latino Advancement Institute in East Los Angeles – one of the participating organizations – said they have seen the needs during the pandemic, especially with the first and second generation Spanish-speaking community.
“Many entrepreneurs and immigrants, who start their own business,” he indicated.
He explained that the Instituto de Avance Latino is responsible for informing street vendors that By offering any type of product or merchandise, it already makes them owners of their small business.
They only need the tools to be able to better navigate the system and obtain the Appropriate licenses and permits, as well as knowing how to manage your finances.
“In this last year, there has been a lot of education and training and through the process of what it means to start a business, make it grow , essentially have all the paperwork they need so that they are protected and nothing happens to them, ”said Hamilton.
The next free workshop will be held today Thursday 13 May 3: 00 pm To access the webinar or obtain more information, you can visit: https://streetsla.lacity.org / vending
Currently sales permits are available by appointment by calling (114) 900 – 6000.
Permit locations:
StreetsLA also invites street vendors to visit one of its eight centers for free one-on-one help and in Spanish.
Advisors will help vendors complete the documentation required to obtain permits for the city of Los Angeles, the state of California and the county of Los Angeles.
CENTRO DE LOS ANGELES
Pacific Asian Consortium In Employement (PACE )
1055 Wilshire Blvd. # 900 – B Los Angeles, 90016
(213) 353 – 9400
MID CITY
Pacific Asian Consortium In Employement (PACE)
2900 Crenshaw Blvd. Los Angeles, 90016
(323) 302 – 6284
HARBOR
Managed Career Solutions (MCS)
221 West 6th Street, # 320 The Angels , 90731
(310) 213 – 0644
SOUTH LOS ANGELES
Vermont Slauson Economic Dev elopment Corporation (VSEDC)
6109 South Western Ave. Los Angeles, 90047
(323) 789 – 4515
SOUTH VALLEY
Instituting Change in our Neighborhoods (ICON)
8248 Van Nuys Blvd Panorama City 91402
(818) 797 – 9396
WEST VALLEY
Managed Career Solutions (MCS)
18645 Sherman Way, Suite 213 Reseda 91335
(747) 265 – 6201
NORTH VALLEY
Instituting Change in our Neighborhoods (ICON)
13269 Van Nuys Blvd. Pacoima 91331
(818) 302 – 6114
HOLLYWOOD
Managed Career Solutions (MCS)
4311 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, 90017
(320) 454 – 6115