The Fiesta Mini Mall in South Los Angeles, faced an eviction in late October, following pleas from the vendors for its closure to be postponed. No formal postponement of the building’s demolition has been announced.
The marketplace was scheduled to be demolished to make way for an affordable housing project for low income residents. Vendors gathered at an L.A. City Council meeting on October 25 to communicate their struggles via public comment. They criticized Mayor Karen Bass’ absence from the meeting and asked for assistance in their relocation.
“We will not stop fighting because like I heard earlier, L.A. is for all, yet we only see how support is only given for the affluent people. I will not be able to pass down all the hard work my mother inculcated in me to my children,” vendor Maria Briseno said. “This not only affects one generation, but the others that follow.”
Briseno’s sister Esmeralda shared these sentiments. She said the council “fails to listen and help,” stating that many vendors have not yet found an affordable relocation site because “most swap meets around the area have been displaced.”
“We have been in contact with representatives of Karen Bass but they only listen and do nothing for us. Karen Bass — where are you?” Esmeralda said. “You have met with teachers, police officers and even small business owners. Do swap meet vendors not deserve the same level of respect?”
However, an Instagram post by @southcentraltenants and @latenants alluded to the Fiesta Mini Mall remaining in operation as of mid-November. The post depicts the Vendors Union of Fiesta Mini Mall gathering to demand that Mayor Bass and Councilmember Curren Price “find relocation for all vendors” or “step in to stop the demolition of the swap meet and secure a permanent stay.”
The Fiesta Mini Mall Vendors’ Instagram account — @vendedoresunidos48thst — was tagged. An Instagram user commented, “Is it still open [sic],” to which @southcentraltenants responded, “Yes and still going strong!” The commenter replied, “thank you went there yesterday and today :) [sic].”
Annenberg Media reached out to two vendors for additional comment, but received no response.
While the fate of the Fiesta Mini Mall swap meet is unknown, vendors and advocates alike continue to fight to keep their place in the South Park community.