Los Angeles Street
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The two city blocks of Los Angeles Street between 7th and 9th streets in the Fashion District of Downtown Los Angeles have long been a center of immigrant entrepreneurs and sales people selling everything from fine Italian tailoring to flashy duds. It's been a scene, drawing crowds that have included a mix of business executives, young hipsters, Hollywood and sports celebrities, musical acts looking for distinctive stage garb, and no shortage of religious preachers and their flocks, especially around Easter. The business landscape led to community, with many of the merchants and their employees boasting decades of experience on the street. They've come to know one another — and many regular customers.
All of that has been supported by strong sales fueled by a reputation as a center of fashionable clothes sold at competitive prices, with an anti-mall appeal in the bargain.
The economic downturn has hit Los Angeles Street hard, though, and the steady stream of business and community links have frayed. Vacancies pock-mark a street that stood as a premium spot for retail trade just a few years ago.
The Los Angeles Street that these entrepreneurs, sales people and shoppers once knew stands at the brink of fading away. Here are the human faces behind the struggle to hold on.
Sam Hassan and Walter Melton are writers and videographers for the L.A. Garment & Citizen.
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