LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
North Hollywood Swap Meet vendors are fighting to stay put as a March 31 eviction date approaches.
The operator of the swap meet gave the vendors a month's notice to vacate, vendor Roberto Lopez said.
"We just want to work. Because our business — they have been there for 30 years already," Lopez said. "So it's not fair — just (for) somebody come and say, you know, 'You got to leave in 30 days.'"
The vendors have been protesting the impending closure. They held a demonstration Tuesday at the home of Moshe Hager, a co-owner of the property that hosts the swap meet.
Hager told our newsroom's broadcast arm, 89.3 KPCC, that he and hia co-owners have forgiven several million dollars in back rent owed by the current swap meet owner. He said the vendors can stay if they find a new swap meet operator willing to pay market rate rent.
Lopez said he and other vendors are looking for a new operator, and Councilmember Paul Krekorian's office said in the statement that they are trying to help.
No comment from the current swap meet operator.
