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

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Learn More

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.