Viviana Vivero

Isabella Buckman
Tim Lau
Peter Berquist
June 1, 2014 Urban Planning C184
Theme
Stop 1: Helping Hand Thrift
Store
In this tour, we examine
individual shops and
restaurants in Little Ethiopia
and the changes they have
gone through.
CULTURE
Owners are not Ethiopian or
affiliated, open shop in 1996
before Little Ethiopia was
founded.
Chose the location because it was
originally a charity stop and the
previous owners passed it down to
them.
Has evolved much since they
opened along with the dynamics
of the community.
Stop 2: Messob Restaurant Stop 3: Rahel Vegan Cuisine
Established in 1985 offering
authentic Ethiopian cuisine
Big focus on presentation of
the food as well as the
establishment with
traditional furniture.
Current owner is the grandson of
the restaurants original owner
Business location chosen due to
proximity to others who also
immigrated from Ethiopia
Leases the building in which the
restaurant is located.
Lack of development in the area
Close ties, familial community
Stop 4: Regal Cake Gallery Stop 5: Jah Lambs and Lions
Own the building selected due to
low cost.
One of the original businesses.
Cooperation is the key to the longevity
of the bakery.
Vast majority of the bakerys patrons
reside in the area.
Building has been renovated several
times.
Shop that sells apparel and novelties
related to reggae music and Caribbean/
African culture.
Opened in 1998. At this time the area was
very blighted and run down.
Became a growing Ethiopian/African
community. Over time it became officially
Little Ethiopia, more businesses poured in
and it has become much more successful
with hardly any crime or graffiti now.
It has improved much from the beginning,
but the area still has issues such as lack of
parking and Sofax signs in poor conditions.
Rent manipulation issue where landlords
are taking advantage of the tenants

History
Development of Carthay Area first began in 1920s
with the Pacific Electric Railway being built on
San Vicente Boulevard
After WWII, Jews moved to Fairfax and named
south of Olympic SoFax
Ethiopian immigration to the U.S. increased in
the early 1970s when communism raised in
Ethiopia
Ethiopians got amnesty by the help of ethiopian-
supported congressman in the mid-1980s
Ethiopian businesses started to move to Fairfax
with the first Ethiopian restaurant opened in
business in 1985
Ethiopian-American Advocacy Group started to
form and got more political support toward the
community
Formally recognized by L.A. City Council in 2002
- becoming the first African cultural district in
any major U.S. city
Annual cultural street festival being held on
September