"Ilunga, a native Angeleno and former Hollywood Farmers Market curator, dreamed of opening her store in Northeast Los Angeles and built momentum behind the idea. She says her original landlords, Baller Mineral LLC, approached her about opening a business and financed the buildout for her superette on the corner of North Avenue 50 and Monte Vista Street. She also received a $250,000 grant from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)'s patient capital initiative Asset Building for Communities of Color."
"During the market's tenure in Highland Park, Ilunga built tight relationships with local farmers and food vendors. Carla's Fresh Market sold wines from small producers, farmers' market produce, niche pantry ingredients, a customer-favorite olive oil bean salad prepared on-site, and baguettes from Clark Street Bakery. "I'm realistic. I'm not a foodie for the sake of being a foodie, I'm a Black American mom,""
Carla's Fresh Market closed on September 8 after under two years of operation. Owner Ariell Ilunga cited the film industry downturn, a broader economic slump, rotating landlords, and an oversized retail space as factors in the decision. Original landlords Baller Mineral LLC financed the Highland Park buildout at North Avenue 50 and Monte Vista Street. The venture received a $250,000 grant from LISC's Asset Building for Communities of Color. The market partnered with local farmers and vendors and sold small-producer wines, farmers' market produce, niche pantry items, an on-site olive oil bean salad, and Clark Street Bakery baguettes. Ilunga hopes to reopen in a smaller Northeast Los Angeles space.
Read at Eater LA
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]