Auto Parts Store Opens at One of Flash Points of Riots

Marking what city officials hope is the beginning of a revitalization for Los Angeles’ most infamous intersection--Florence and Normandie avenues, one of the flash points of the 1992 riots--a shiny new auto parts store celebrated its grand opening Wednesday morning.

The new PARTS USA shop, which City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas called “a blessing to the community,” was built on a vacant lot.

“The people in the community love it. They are happy that we are here,” said Ed Morgan, 26, the manager of the new shop who lives in the South-Central neighborhood.

The opening ceremony drew a small crowd of community leaders, including Mayor Richard Riordan, Los Angeles Urban League President John Mack and Ridley-Thomas, whose district includes the intersection.

Pep Boys, which operates PARTS USA stores, earlier built another store in South Los Angeles and teamed up with the Urban League to offer six-week job training classes. Participants who score at least 85% on the program’s final exam are guaranteed a 40-hour-a-week job.

Several graduates of the program now work at the new PARTS USA store. Among them is Robert Womack, 51, who was unemployed and on welfare until last May, when he took the training.

“This offered me a way out of that,” said Womack. He said he spent about six months at another PARTS USA store as a cashier and is now a sales representative.

Another graduate is Angela Bush, 26, who grew up near the intersection but moved away after the riots. Bush says many people in the neighborhood have dropped in to check out the store and are are happy to have a new business.

“They don’t have to see that old, empty lot. It won’t be in their face anymore,” Bush said.