Southeast Leaders Propose Swap Meet as Boost to Area

Concerned with the loss of dollars in their community, several Southeast San Diego businessmen and community organizers Monday announced a proposed outdoor swap meet, the largest of its kind in that area.

The ambitious weekend market, to be called the Southeast Business Bazaar, would provide on-site support and training in business management, said the Rev. Andre Henderson, a clergyman at Highland Park Church who has worked with local businessman Elbert Buckley on the proposal for more than a year.

Plans call for booths for nearly 100 vendors, 143 parking spaces, a food court featuring black, Mexican and Asian cuisine, a security tower with radio communications and new landscaping, all fenced within a now vacant 3.65-acre lot owned by the city.

The Fam Mart Boycott Committee, a group boycotting a Korean-American indoor swap meet about a mile away, and Henderson’s group said the beauty of the plan is that money spent at the market would remain in Southeast San Diego, where the vendors live.

“It’s time we develop economics in the community and direct the turnover of dollars in this community,” Henderson said.

The market would also provide free booths to students from Lincoln High School, which is across the street from the lot, to allow them to raise funds for the school and become interested in business, Henderson said.

The initial $75,000 in start-up costs will come from the Kobey Corp., which operates the swap meet at the San Diego Sports Arena, said Charles J. Pretto, a manager for Kobey.

“We feel like it’s a good way to help Southeast San Diego in its revitalization efforts,” he said.

Jerry Grooms, president of the Southeast Economic Development Corp., said the SEDC has an agreement in principal with the plan for the bazaar, pending approval of the Henderson group’s request for a conditional use permit by the city Planning Commission.

If the Planning Commission approves the permit at its May 24 review, the bazaar could open in late July, Henderson said.

Meanwhile, the boycott committee will continue picketing the Fam Mart Discount Store at 1755 Euclid Ave., said Greg Akili, an organizer for the committee. The boycott began April 27 after the owners rejected several proposals by the committee arising from a dispute over a patron’s treatment when she tried to exchange some merchandise.

Negotiations before a mediator are being held in an attempt to resolve the dispute.