One Saturday a month my sisters and I would be packed into my parent’s mini-van and trek from East Los Angeles to the Grand Central Market to pick up bread, tomatoes, Little Debbie snack cake, bananas, lentejas, fish, mangos and a myriad other groceries. The day was a test in patience and endurance as my mother touched and smelled her way through the market seeking out the best eats at good prices. In those days, the market was hot, overtly busy and a mix of people.
Things have changed dramatically in 20 years.
Today I took my children to experience the market and I wasn’t prepared for the experience. Though the building and stands not changed dramatically, the market had a sense of calm, a unique variety of eating options and the prices were still a bargain. I found myself marveling at the business professionals and youthful 20 somethings that strolled up and down the wide aisles seeking a gourmet bagel, a fresh smoothie or a decadent taco. It was wall there in an un-chaotic atmosphere that blended the experience of gourmet food-trucks with the hustle of a thousand transactions a minute.
My kids loved looking through the fresh produce stands and choosing treats for the day. Their allowances got actually allowed them to buy a good selection of joy that they enjoyed with glee as they strolled along with me.
This is a MUST have experience for today’s Angelenos. It’s lost the bustle that I semi-enjoyed as a kid but it’s gained a welcoming approach that lets all walks of life to congregate and add their favor to the cacophony.
We’ll certainly be back for more…
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| People Moving |
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| Must Have |
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| Mmm Chipotle |
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| Baby Kake Salad? Yes Please |
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| huh!? |