Avenue 26 Night Market Returns This Weekend, At New, Temporary Venue In City Of Bell
BELL (CBSLA) — The Avenue 26 Night Market is making a comeback, but it won't be on Avenue 26.
Instead, the wildly popular night market is moving to a new, temporary location – 5400 Rickenbacker Road in the city of Bell. The new venue will have more room for street vendors and customer parking.
The Avenue 26 night market sprang up organically in Lincoln Heights, but became too popular for its own good. It was shut down and the area fenced off by city officials after neighbors complained of parking problems and customers leaving behind trash, urine and human feces.
Janette Villafana of LA Taco tweeted out the new location for the night market, which will take place Friday and Saturday night.
"Reason for relocating is due to space, they wanted to make sure there was enough space for all vendors and enough parking for their clients," Villafana tweeted.
Several locally-owned businesses got to the market early on Friday -- opening day at the new location -- to claim their spots and prep, hoping for large crowds.
It got the chance to reopen with the help of supporters of the market who were still determined to keep it going and sought out a location in Bell that gives vendors and customers more space.
"Kind of like messed up without notice. It was messed up, but we didn't plan to stop," said vendor Michael Dominguez.
Bell officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CBS Los Angeles about if the market will become a permanent fixture in the community.
Vendors said they're allowed to operate the market Friday through Sunday, but that they hope those temporary hours will be extended.
