The Locals Only Passport, a guide to South Central small businesses, went live on Monday with deals from 16 coffee carts, food stalls and other neighborhood spots.
The initiative is a collaborative effort between Vendor Maps, a sort of Yelp for street vendors and home-based businesses built by Patricia Amador, and neighborhood documentarians South Central Clips.
“It’s a way to kind of showcase the cultural richness that South Central has to offer,” said Marvin Valencia, who runs South Central Clips along with Erick Solis.
The booklets are $15 each and can be purchased online or in person at Cafe Calle, Espressaria Cafe and Sabores LA.
Here are the businesses in the passport:
- LA Maple Bakery (also known as La Panadería Michoacana)
- Piara Pizza USC
- Sabores LA
- Cafe Calle
- Susie’s Ricos Tamales
- Toshi BBQ
- Birrieria Baldomeros
- Warning Skate Shop
- Tacos Villa
- Kimmy’s Crepes
- Barbacoa Estilo Jalisco
- Principio Mercado
- Espressaria Cafe
- Iyali Coffee
- Oaxacalifornia
- Joe’s Sports World
Everything about the little blue booklet — from concept to printing — is South Central-made, said Amador.
She sat on the patio of LA Maple Bakery a few days before the book’s release and flipped through pages of discounts from Espressaria Cafe, Barbacoa Estilo Toluca and Susie’s Ricos Tamales.
“I tend to just go to the same three businesses all the time,” said Amador. “It’s been eye-opening, just going to all these cool spots I’ve never been to before. I’m looking forward to using it myself.”
Each business entry includes a short bio from the business and a pair of deals. The booklet also includes photos from Solis, from South Central Clips, and artwork from illustrator Cynthia Nava.
Valencia said the discounts included in the book — two for each of the 16 businesses — are more than worth the price and that revenue will help support future work from Vendor Maps and South Central Clips, which makes many of its small business profile videos for free.
