For many Boyle Heights business owners, love extends beyond their storefronts and into the heart of their community. Whether they’ve been married for decades or practice self-love every day, they have created spaces where the community can gather, feel supported and find a sense of belonging.
Through their work, they foster connection, pride and care for one another and Boyle Heights at large.
On this Valentine’s Day weekend, we’re featuring Boyle Heights business owners who show love isn’t just something we celebrate, but practice every day.
J&F Ice Cream
For Jose and Minerva Villa, friendly competition turned into decades of love that now extends into their surrounding community at Mariachi Plaza, where they’ve owned a business together for almost 18 years.
The couple met over 30 years ago, when Minerva got a summer job at a children’s clothing booth in Santee Alley. Working at a competing booth across the street was Jose. Competitive stares eventually turned into a formal meeting and dates, and a year later, they were married.
“What I love about working with my husband is spending more time together. We work together, we have goals together, we can share what we need to do to improve the business,” Villa said in Spanish.
Now, the love they share also shows in the care they pour into the community that frequents J&F Ice Cream. They know their regular customers’ orders and treat them like family. That connection and mutual support have been critical, Minerva said, especially amid ongoing immigration raids in Los Angeles.
“Many times it affects me personally because there are clients I know who come in with difficult situations and it gets to me because they’ve been clients for many years,” Villa said.
Address: 1703 Mariachi Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Hours: J&F Ice Cream Shop is open every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Erika’s Beauty Salon and Barbershop
Inside Erika’s Beauty Salon and Barbershop on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue, owner Erika Ramirez wants everyone to feel welcome regardless of their race, gender or sexual orientation.
Ramirez, a transgender woman, has operated her shop for 12 years, and treats her customers the way she would want to be treated: with respect, dignity and love.
“I felt a sense of pride and also the potential to provide for the LGBT community so that they feel confident and safe coming to a business, a barbershop, a beauty salon with a person from the community,” Ramirez said in Spanish.
In doing so, the base of customers she’s brought together has embraced her in return, often telling her they feel comfortable and at home when they sit in her chair for a haircut.
Over the years, one of the most fulfilling experiences has been when other transgender women come into Ramirez’s shop to ask her for help or advice, she said.
“I’ve given them a place to stay, helped them find jobs, given them clothes, and supported them financially in any way I can,” Ramirez said. “I feel like that will always stay with me, that the girls feel comfortable asking me for help.
Address: 2718 Cesar E Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90033
SuperNova Thrift
One of the newest businesses on 1st Street, SuperNova Thrift, blends the creative passions of Yvonne I. Monje Perez and Elvis Perez, though their love story began long before.
The pair has lived in Boyle Heights since 2018 and has been together for 17 years. Elvis’ background in design and fashion and Perez’s passions for sustainability and art seamlessly blend inside their shop.
“Being able to be creative together in this space has been super awesome for both of us,” Perez said.
SuperNova Thrift, which opened its doors in November of 2025, offers affordable thrift finds, art and screen-printed goods. The Perez’s hope to not only offer sustainable, affordable fashion but also create places where the community can find connection and feel inspired.
Since its opening, the duo has hosted multiple events for the community, including $1 sidewalk sales and a “DJ’s Against ICE” event on Jan. 30 to coincide with the General Strike. This weekend, they’re hosting their second night market supporting local artists and vendors.
“We’ve made so many connections with so many of the people that are here in the community and their motivation has completely inspired us in wanting to make this space better for them,” Perez said.
Address: 1852 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90033
Hours: SuperNova Thrift is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. New items and event announcements are posted on the store’s Instagram.
Picaresca Barra de Cafe
Inside Picaresca Barra de Cafe, a group of owners and friends has turned their love of coffee into a community hub. What started with couple Leo Abularach and Elisa Hoyos during the pandemic has grown into two bustling locations in Boyle Heights, joined by co-owners Maribel and Frank Valderrama.
Their coffee, such as their drip and café de olla latte, as well as their burritos and chilaquiles, have attracted residents in and outside the Eastside. Social media videos have also expanded their customer base. Some customers come from outside LA County.
But to the Picaresca team, the shop’s role in the neighborhood extends beyond food and coffee.
A bulletin board in their cafe highlights community events and organizations. They’ve held a “Noche de Poesía” in honor of Día de Los Muertos. They host pop-ups with local artists and chefs. Residents can also find “Know Your Rights” pamphlets and red cards at the shop. Posters and prints against ICE raids are often available at Picaresca, which has also sponsored a Boyle Heights youth soccer team.
“We really love our community and from the moment we opened our doors on Soto, the community and our customer base is very loyal,” said Elisa Hoyos, one of the shop’s owners. “Boyle Heights has really embraced us.”
As Picaresca continues to grow, Hoyos says the mission remains unchanged.
“The goal of serving good quality coffee to our community, it stays the same.”
Boyle Heights Beat reporter Alejandra Molina contributed to this story.
