Vending's Impact
Vending's Impact
Booth at the Black Market Flea
All art has a purpose and function. Whether it is to preserve culture, cultivate emotions, or to just produce something aesthetically pleasing. Vending functions as the economic backbone of the South LA Promise Zone. The vending within the Promise Zone shows the intersection between daily use and "luxury" goods.
While one could buy many of the goods vendors sell at commercial retailer, buying goods directly from local vendors helps support the local economy. Even if vendors themselves are not from the local area, street vending can support existing "brick and mortar" businesses in the neighborhood as "businesses in close proximity to street vendors maintained employment levels from 2007 to 2011 and grew, on average, by five percent" (Lui, 2015) If vendors are local, the money consumers give to vendors directly supports members of the community.
Assortment of Produce at the Central Ave. Farmer's Market
Market vendors are also important in for the economic vitality of the South LA Promise Zone. In a study of Latinx markets researchers found that, using some case studies in Los Angeles County, these spaces helped cultivate community and protected individual vendors (Ledesma & Giusti, 2021). This protection allows individual vendors, who may otherwise be targeted, to grow their wealth.
Sites Visited
The three vending areas visited for this research were:
The Black Market Flea
Central Ave. Farmer's Market
Street vendors at the intersection of 49th St. and Main St.
The Black Market Flea is a monthly market, while the Central Ave. Farmer's market is every Thursday. The Black Market Flea is held at The Beehive and has performances, food, and retail items. The Central Ave. Farmer's market is food and produce focused. Less is known about the frequency for the vendors at the 49th St. and Main St. intersection, but vending definitely occurs on Saturday mornings. Vendors here sell a variety of good, such as toys, clothes, electronics, and food.
Lounge Area at the Black Market Flea
Poster for the Black Market Flea
image from @blackmarketflea created by @snalo, image via Instagram
Mayah Hatcher, the founder of The Black Market Flea which is a space for Black creators and businesses "created the market as a 'starting point' for people and their businesses" (Garret, 2021)
“People come out and make it a point to support us ”
-Courtney, vendor
Courtney's Booth
Vending allows many to make a living as an interview with a vendor, Courtney, revealed. She described how she vends at the Black Market Flea monthly, along with a few other local markets, and is able to make a living selling her handcrafted lotion and oils. While Courtney sells at an pre-organized market, like street vendors, she relies vending to make a living while simultaneously providing the community with local products.