- SKID ROW PEOPLE’S MARKET -

Creating Justice LA has been presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase a privately-owned family grocery store located in the heart of Skid Row. This would mean that it would fully come under the wing of Creating Justice LA, and we would assume full responsibility and ownership of Skid Row People’s Market.

Founded by Mama May and Bob Park, they had tirelessly worked to become a full-service grocery store with a variety of healthy foods and providing opportunities for local employment. Their son, Danny Park, transitioned their beloved market into what it is today. Unfortunately, Danny is no longer able to maintain this time-consuming and costly project. Deciding to sell was a difficult decision but once made, he chose to reach out to Creating Justice LA, one of his dearest community collaborators, to continue to and grow his parent’s legacy.

For over 28 years, Skid Row People’s Market has a history of collaborating with community organizations and providing services and access to food and hygiene items at a reasonable price. Importantly, Skid Row People’s Market is removing structural barriers to employment, improving working conditions, increasing wages, and building a safe and supportive work environment. The stakeholders practice collective input in decision-making, discover skills and gifts, and accountability to one another.

By helping Creating Justice LA purchase the store and its contents, you are ensuring that Skid Row People’s Market remains as a neighborhood grocery shop with the mission of responding to structural racism and criminalization of poverty by continuing to create access to healthy food and equitable jobs, while uplifting the creative spirit. The alternative is bleak. The store would likely be purchased by a for-profit company, jack up prices, and not guarantee employee wages and training. In addition, there is no incentive for a for-profit company to keep or maintain the deep community involvement and programs that have been carefully cultivated over these many years. Skid Row People’s Market allows us the opportunity to directly invest in healthier food and associated outcomes in Skid Row.