El 7 Mares restaurant now has a historic marker at its Boyle Heights location.
El 7 Mares restaurant now has a historic marker at its Boyle Heights location. (Courtesy of Council District 14)

Three Boyle Heights businesses were honored Thursday with new historical markers as part of a citywide initiative to bring local Latino history to neighborhood streets.

The Paramount, El 7 Mares and Candelas Guitars were the first of 140 sites across Los Angeles slated for recognition as part of HistoricPlacesLA Revealed: Latino Los Angeles.

Councilmember Ysabel Jurado joined community leaders and business owners to unveil the historical markers, which will be installed on lamp posts outside the businesses.

“Boyle Heights history lives in the businesses where families have gathered, worked and built something to pass on to the next generation,” Jurado said. “These markers recognize the people behind those businesses and their place in the story of Los Angeles. I want Angelenos to come learn that history, walk through their doors and support the small businesses that keep our neighborhood’s culture alive.”

Councilmember Ysabel Jurado with Frank Acevedo Sr., owner of the Paramount, Tomás Delgado, owner of Candelas Guitars, and Judy Diaz, owner of El 7 Mares.
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado with Frank Acevedo Sr., owner of the Paramount, Tomás Delgado, owner of Candelas Guitars, and Judy Diaz, owner of El 7 Mares. (Courtesy of Council District 14)

The markers will feature QR codes linking visitors to photographs, historical information and multimedia stories in the city’s HistoricPlacesLA online database.

The sites “recognize contributions to Latino life in Los Angeles through legacy businesses, activism, education and other community institutions,” according to Council District 14. They were selected by the City Planning Department’s Office of Historic Resources and a community advisory committee of cultural and civic leaders, historians and educators.

Visit the businesses

The Paramount is a century-old landmark and music venue that has served generations through music and community.

Location: 2708 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033

Read more: From jazz icons to ska punks, the Paramount remains a cultural community hub 100 years in

Candelas Guitars is a family-owned shop known for its handcrafted guitars and deep roots in Boyle Heights.

Location: 2724 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033 

Read more: Near-century-long story of Candelas Guitars finds a new chapter in next generation

El 7 Mares is a family-owned restaurant with seven locations across LA County serving Mexican seafood dishes.

Location: 2725 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90033

My background: I was born in Mexico and raised in Boyle Heights, where I got my start in journalism by launching a community blog. Most recently, I worked at the Los Angeles Times and have spent most of my career covering local news in LA, with a focus on community-centered stories, Latino communities and mentoring emerging writers.

What I do: I lead coverage of Boyle Heights and East LA across all platforms to inform, connect and uplift our community. I spend my days listening, planning, editing and coordinating to make sure our stories reflect the community fairly, while supporting and mentoring my team of reporters and freelancers so they can grow along the way.

Why LA?: It’s home. It’s the sounds of Spanglish and other languages, the smell of tacos and kimchi, the way street art tells stories and how, even though I hate traffic, I love how the freeways can take me to the beach or the mountains on a whim.

The best way to contact me: My email is jessica.perez@boyleheightsbeat.org.

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