LOS ANGELES — For generations, Olvera Street has been the cultural heart of downtown Los Angeles, a place where family-owned businesses, tradition and history come together. But for many longtime vendors, the past few years have been among the most difficult they’ve ever faced.
Edward Flores, whose family has operated Juanita’s Tacos on Olvera Street since 1944, explained that business sharply declined following the COVID-19 pandemic. He said closures, reduced tourism, homelessness in the area and recent immigration enforcement activity have all taken a toll.
“When COVID first hit, my business went down 85%,” Flores said. “I had to lay off my entire staff. We’ve been struggling ever since.”…