National Hispanic Latino Heritage Month is here from September 15th - October 15th. You might wonder why we celebrate this month from the middle of two months instead of just one whole one. These two half-months honor the Latin American countries as they celebrate their independence. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate on September 15, followed by Mexico on September 16 and Chile on September 18. And, Dia de la Raza is on October 12 so let freedom ring all 30 days!


The Market is proud to have a host of Hispanic and Latino owned businesses. A few of the many we are celebrating this month include, Frances Tario of Du-par’s Restaurant and Bakery, who bought the restaurant in 2018. Frances is an LA native, but her mother is from Honduras and her Dad is from Spain. She started as a waitress in 2004 with five young children and worked her way up to buy the place —learning how to be a businesswoman along the way. Du-par’s has some of the best all-American diner fare and is one of our favorite places to drop in for breakfast. Did you know their hot cakes were named by Esquire Magazine as the best in the country? Enough said.


Another Latina merchant, Lilian Sears, is from El Salvador. She also started as a staffer and eventually became owner of Coffee Corner. Even though she’s now the boss, she’s still pouring coffee to her local customers. A Market gem, serving coffee, teas, lemonades and freshly baked muffins and rolls throughout the day, this shop is a local favorite, and has been part of the Market scene since 1946.


Armando Puente, owner of Farm Fresh Produce, has been working in produce since he was 19 years old. He has always loved farming but bringing the best produce into Los Angeles and serving this community is his passion. Farm Fresh Produce opened in 1954. After moving from Mexico, Puente started working there in 1989, and took over the business in 1996. Since then, he’s kept the stall thriving and it is one of the most popular merchants at the Market. Check out their homemade salsas or fresh-squeezed juices next time you’re here!


The Salad Bar has been owned and operated for nearly 30 years by Maria Brown who was also originally an employee for 10 years before acquiring the business in 1996. Maria is also originally from Mexico and she runs the business with her family. Her son manages the menu, while her daughters manage the business, and Maria works the counter. Maria’s daughter, Jennifer, describes working in this family dynamic as, “We’re like a human salad, where everything just comes together.”


Eddy Ekmejian, the chef and brains behind Nonna’s Empanada’s, has taken over the family business from his late father, Mario, who was born in Argentina and eventually came to America and started Nonna’s. When he was young, Mario fell in love with his Grandmother’s empanadas and knew he wanted to continue her tradition, which is how he came up with the name of his shop, “Nonna’s Empanada’s.” When they first opened the shop, they only had eight or nine flavors, but as the business grew, so did the menu. They now have dozens of options on the menu, both sweet and savory, representing many diverse cultures.



Mexican American actor, author, and restaurateur, Danny Trejo, is the owner of Trejo’s Tacos here at the Market. Danny was born and raised in Los Angeles where food always played an important role in his life. From cooking with his mom, to family dinners with his kids, food has accounted for many of his most positive memories. Drawing inspiration from Mexico’s beach taquerias, Trejo’s Tacos combines fresh produce and ingredients found right in the Market with customer favorites, offering tacos, burritos, salads, vegan and vegetarian specialties, and aguas frescas.   


The Market is thrilled to have recently welcomed back Jimmy Shaw, owner and chef of Lotería Marketplace, which previously existed as a full-service grill years back. Jimmy was born and raised in Mexico City, where he was inspired by his mother’s cooking. After moving to the U.S. for school, Jimmy eventually returned to Mexico to gather recipes and traditional techniques to construct a menu of soulful dishes, bringing alive and sharing the flavors of his childhood with Los Angeles. Lotería Marketplace offers a curation of Mexican grocery and specialty goods with highlights including housemade tamales, traditional Mexican rice, slow-braised shredded beef, chicken tinga, and so much more. Be sure to stop by to check out their rotating selection of prepared foods designed to enjoy both at the Market and at home!