Once the domain of recent immigrants trying to scratch out a living, the ranks of sidewalk merchants have swelled since the economy soured in 2007. The group — an estimated 10,000 countywide — is now larger and more diverse, pulling in out-of-work professionals, war veterans and single mothers, according to a recent report by the Los Angeles chief legislative analyst’s office.
Street merchants also factor into the region’s growing economy of sole proprietors. Working alone has become a popular business model since the recession as companies cut jobs and boosted productivity and many workers were forced to stay in the labor pool past retirement age.
From July 2013 — the start of the city’s fiscal year — to March 2014, 286 citations were given out, each of which could result in up to $1,000 in fines and even jail time. That’s more than the entirety of the previous fiscal year, when 271 citations were issued.
The Economic Roundtable, a research group, estimates that Los Angeles street vendors reap more than $100 million in sales a year, 43% of that from food sales. These vendors aren’t operating fancy food trucks; they’re grilling chicken in their driveways or peddling fruit by freeway exits.
“The recovery never happened for people in a lot of our neighborhoods,” Favela said. “Many of those people wait for vendors to come by — they can negotiate with vendors, who understand their struggles.”
Lloyd tracks sales by writing them in a notebook, though she’s planning to start using her smartphone as a digital ledger. She just signed on for mobile payment system Square to allow her customers to pay with credit cards.
The proportion of her customers with steady jobs is increasing, she said. For many of the rest, struggling on government aid, she’s been offering her inexpensive products on credit.
“I have a heart,” she said. “People just don’t have money like they used to.”
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