A Model For Community Entrepreneurship

Mercado La Paloma is an example of a successful program to stimulate small business ownership for dozens of mostly immigrant entrepreneurs.

1 minute read

November 13, 2004, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen

Los Angeles-based Esperanza Community Housing Corporation has created what could become a national model for encouraging small business entrepreneurship:

"On the ground floor warehouse of a 32,000-square-foot former garment factory at 35th Street and Grand Avenue, organizers from Esperanza have created a quaint, 16-stall marketplace where merchants hawk goods from intricate original works of art to used computer keyboards to food. Most vendors are first-time business owners.

The mercado charges $1.10 per square foot, and most store spaces cost about $300 a month. Tenants lease the space month-to-month."

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: Going to Mercado

Friday, November 12, 2004 in Los Angeles Downtown News

Community / Economic Development California

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