Mocobizscene- Last Thursday night, a new incident took place in Long Beach, marking another chapter in the ongoing taco turf wars in L.A. County.
In a series of eight videos posted by Tacos La Juquilita, a street taco stand situated at 6595 Atlantic Avenue, the owner of La Taquería Brand, a local taquería chain with five locations, can be seen grabbing and smashing a phone that belonged to one of the taco stand’s employees who was recording the altercation.
Tacos La Juquilita took to Instagram to share a video, where they expressed their frustration with the staff of the upcoming fifth location of La Taquería Brand. In the video, they accused them of placing yellow caution tape on the sidewalk area that Tacos La Juquilita had been using for months.
In a video, a man wearing shorts, sunglasses, a baseball cap, and shin-high socks informs, “The taquería owner sent me to relay the message that you are no longer allowed to set up your taco stand on the curb. The specific reason was not disclosed, but it was made clear that you cannot be here.”
Comments on the videos shared by La Taquería Juquilita’s account predominantly express support for the street vendor. However, there are also individuals who empathize with the brick-and-mortar establishment, justifying the owner’s aggression by highlighting that these businesses pay taxes. Some argue that stands should not be allowed to set up outside.
In the competitive taco scene of Los Angeles, clashes between taqueros have become a frequent occurrence. These altercations often involve brick-and-mortar establishments going head-to-head with food trucks, or taco trucks squaring off against taco stands.
Research conducted by the Economic Roundtable has revealed an interesting finding contrary to popular belief. Despite claims that street vendors detract customers from nearby brick-and-mortar businesses, their presence actually has the opposite effect. This is because street vendors activate public spaces such as curbs and streets that would otherwise be empty. As a result, foot traffic increases, leading to more business for the brick-and-mortar establishments.
Customers who prefer quick-service take-out food from a stand often differ from those who seek a full-service restaurant experience, complete with indoor seating, restrooms, and the option to purchase alcoholic beverages.
According to the Berkeley Journal of Sociology, additional research reveals that a significant number of street vendors turn to selling food on the streets as their sole means of employment in urban areas, primarily due to their undocumented immigration status. A report indicates that as many as 25% of undocumented Latinos do not possess traditional bank accounts, stemming from their apprehension of being deported.
In 2018, California legalized street vending, a move that allowed individuals to legally operate street taco stands like Tacos La Juquilita. Senator Lena Gonzalez of Long Beach has taken it upon herself to further support street vending operations by introducing a bill to revise the language used in local health departments, making it more inclusive of street vendors.
L.A. TACO reached out to La Taquería Brand through email and had a phone conversation with a representative. Although they did not provide an immediate statement on record, they reassured that they would be sending one as soon as possible.
Also Read:
- Man from Newark Faces Charges for Human Trafficking
- Montgomery police investigating fatal shooting of 33-year-old woman
- Man Fatally Shoots A Woman During An Argument: Miami Police
