Hello, 

    We urgently need your help and support on this time sensitive matter. There are over 100 small business owners doing business within the North Hollywood swapmeet and even more workers employed by the vendors who will lose their only source of income. Many small business owners and workers are immigrants and provide for their family and community members. With a little over a month’s notice, they were told to pack up their whole livelihoods and clear out of the building. Many of the small business owners have been doing business at the swapmeet for years- some for over 30 years - and have build a community. 
    On February 18,2022, the vendors received a letter from management saying that because management could not renew A lease agreement with the landlord, over 100 vendors must vacate the premises, along with all the merchandise and furniture and display cases, by March 31,2022.
     The closing of the North Hollywood Swapmeet is unacceptable and will have dire consequence for the small business owners, workers, and local community. Hundreds of small business will be forced to close and even more workers will lose their livelihood in the middle of a pandemic. Many will be unable to find alternatives jobs and stuck with the merchandise that they were kicked out with. Many will be at the risk of homelessness/displacement, unable to pay rent and keep their homes. Moreover, will lose a treasured community space where many of the residents found community and refuge. 

Thank you, 
North Hollywood swapmeet vendors