Mi Pequeña Lucia, The Story of A Women-Owned Sidewalk Flower Shop (Story 23/40)
Located across Jack in the Box on University Ave and 41st St stands Mi Pequeña Lucia.
Almost everyday, you will find Nancy selling flowers. She owns and runs Mi Pequeña Lucia. More than a year ago, Mi Pequeña Lucia was nonexistent and Nancy was unemployed. Today, her story as a licensed sidewalk vendor and business owner echoes what many immigrant families seek upon arriving in the United States- safety, education, and a shot at their dreams.
This is Nancy’s story:
When I arrived at Mi Pequeña Lucia, Nancy greeted me. I observed Nancy and could see, though she was nervous, she was forthcoming about sharing her story.
I asked Nancy if we could step into the Tierra Central lot for our interview. She agreed, leaving her daughter in charge. We walked a few steps into Tierra Central. The once vacant lot now serves as a gathering hub for City Heights businesses and residents, as well as the Fern Street Circus establishment. I jumped right in:
Nancy, how did you arrive at this point - selling flowers on this corner in City Heights?
“I used to work near the beach. And I would return from work and see a lady on the corner of Euclid selling flowers. I would think, “Oh my God, I wish for a sidewalk shop like that so I don't have to return so tired from work.” My parents and daughter were sick and I would miss work a lot to take them to doctor visits.
One Mother’s Day, a friend invited me to sell flowers with her, and I agreed because I was jobless due to the pandemic. She said, “Come sell flowers and let's see what happens.”
Thank God that day turned out well. It was a holiday. Afterward I said, “If they give me permission to sell here (the corner of 41st st and University Ave), then I'll continue selling.” Thank God the organization (CHCDC) and the Fern Street Circus granted me permission to sell. That's how it began.”
Before opening her shop, Nancy was a sidewalk vendor selling a Mexican dessert known as buñuelos. This was her first job upon arriving in the United States. She recounts her first major encounter with police as an unpermitted sidewalk vendor nearly seven years ago:
“At that time, I had no money or job and began selling buñuelos in the neighborhood. I didn't have a permit. But I either sold them without permission and fed my daughters, or I didn't sell, making no money and leaving my daughters hungry. I faced a dilemma: either I faced charges for unlawfully selling or child neglect for not feeding my daughters.
That day, of course I was afraid. I explained to them that either I sold these buñuelos or my daughters would go hungry - either way I'm committing a crime. They let me off easy with only a warning, but I continued selling because I needed to keep working.
I put my daughters through private school selling buñuelos. I'd prepare the buñuelos every evening so they were ready by 8:00 am. I'd take my daughters to school and then I'd start selling all around City Heights.”
Sidewalk vendors like Nancy face many troubles. Chiefly, the process for acquiring permits is expensive and intimidating, particularly for vendors like Nancy whose primary language is Spanish. The thought of interacting with government officials can provoke fear amongst the immigrant community. Nancy admits she was fortunate that day, but confesses she was not refusing to abide - rather, she lacked the means and information to do so.
Today, Nancy possesses all necessary permits for selling and owning a business, a success she attributes to her perseverance and community efforts.
What's been your experience going through the process of acquiring necessary permits?
“Look, one year ago I was told that going into the offices to get my permits would be like going to Hell and coming back. Seriously, it was that dramatic. But, I was telling Sonia (CHCDC - Economic Development team),“Listen, I want to get my permits, but I'm afraid of the IRS.” Why? Because we don't know how to navigate the system.
People would tell me, “Now you're only going to work for the IRS.” But that's not true. If one is informed and backed up by a well-informed organization, it's not like that.
In fact, you live more at peace, because without them, one will see a cop and think, “ Are they going to tell me something?" Or somebody from the city may come to take away one’s merchandise.
We live day by day. Not only are you afraid of them coming, but you're afraid to lose your livelihood. If someone takes my things, I may be left at zero or in debt if I haven't paid for my merchandise. One year ago, yes, it was like going to Hell. But after getting support from the organization (CHCDC), it's like eating cake.”
How has the CHCDC organization supported you?
“Mainly, they've clarified the process for acquiring permits. Secondly, they informed me about my rights. They would tell me, “No, they [government officials] can't do this or say this.” And that gave me so much protection. That's so important, knowing your rights. They gave me a place to sell. It feels like a sense of protective asylum. This is important - to have support.
They told me all that I could do with the permits, and that was like sitting in glory.”
What is your advice for other street vendors?
“Firstly, get close to the organization (CHCDC) to receive advice. There's nothing like asking for help from people who know what they're doing so they can get their permits and continue growing. To show the government, whether you are legal or not, that you are here to work and we want to legally abide and do the right thing - that's why we get our permits and pay our taxes, so we can grow the right way. That's what one can do.”
Where do you see yourself and your business in the coming years?
“I see myself owning a big flower shop. I want, like, a food truck, but with flowers. That way I can sell here and over there. If I wanted to sell on Market St. on Saturdays, I could easily do so.”
Within one year, Nancy went from being jobless to being the first in her family pursuing entrepreneurship. She not only believed in her abilities to sell and run a business - she took the necessary steps to put her dreams into a course of action. She is well on her way to establishing her transportable flower shop. And along the journey, her story reminds us communal support extends beyond information sharing - it can empower self-belief.
You can find her locally-sourced flowers across Jack in the Box and adjacent to Starbucks on University Ave and 41st St.