Legal Sidewalk Vendor is Awarded $10k with Help of the South Valley Business Source Center Legal Sidewalk Vendor is Awarded $10k with Help of the South Valley Business Source Center

Oscar Salazar is the owner of Angie’s Fruits, a legalized fruit business which he started in August 2020 with the help of the South Valley BusinessSource Center. Launching in the middle of a pandemic was a challenge that not only brought hardship, but also something he calls a blessing.

In November 2020, a Business Coach at the South Valley BusinessSource Center assisted Oscar with applying for the COVID-19 Street Vending Recovery Fund, a grant worth $5,000 to licensed Street Vendors in the Los Angeles area. The Business Coach provided hands-on assistance by completing the application and submitting required documentation. In December 2020, Oscar was selected as a grantee and was awarded $5,000. 

 “When I was awarded the grant, my wife and I had just tested positive for COVID and were feeling very ill, and could not work. I owed months of commissary rent, my produce had gone to waste and I was in debt.”

Surprisingly, LISC, the organization behind the grant, generously increased Oscar’s grant amount to an additional $5,000. 

“Receiving an award of $10,000 has been a blessing to my family and I. I am thankful to God, to the South Valley BusinessSource Center, the City of LA, and to LISC. I believe that everyone who made this possible will be blessed always.”

Oscar used the funds to pay his past-due rent at the commissary, buy inventory and personal protective equipment to stay safe from COVID-19. Oscar is interested in learning more about social media, with guidance from the  Marketing Coaches at the South Valley BusinessSource, Oscar will be advised on how to promote his business and attract more customers. 

 If you would like to buy from Angie’s Fruits, Oscar sets up near the corner of Terra Bella St. and Arleta Ave, in Council District 6.