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Wal-Mart in Florence-Firestone?

Maria Hernandez has been making corn tortillas on a wooden tortilla press for the last 10 years at Playa Azul market in Florence-Firestone, an unincorporated neighborhood in L.A. County. Playa Azul is a family-owned business whose operators fear that a Wal-Mart could erode the small-business climate.

Maria Hernandez has been making corn tortillas on a wooden tortilla press for the last 10 years at Playa Azul market in Florence-Firestone, an unincorporated neighborhood in L.A. County. Playa Azul is a family-owned business whose operators fear that a Wal-Mart could erode the small-business climate.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Wal-Mart in Florence-Firestone?

Jorge Campos, 54, owner of Raul’s Market, says he would welcome a Wal-Mart in the area because he believes it would bring more foot traffic to his market.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Wal-Mart in Florence-Firestone?

Many small-business owners in the Florence-Firestone neighborhood fear the development of a Wal-Mart there. Dan Rosenfeld, County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas’ senior deputy for economic development, said that local businesses can offer enormous benefits: pride of ownership, local hiring and tax dollars routed back into the streets where they originate.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Wal-Mart in Florence-Firestone?

Eddie Caire, a subcontractor, civic activist and former labor organizer from Florence, shows the Devil Dogs tattoo he got when he was in the U.S. Marine Corps to cover up a gang tattoo as he collects signatures to support bringing a Wal-Mart to the neighborhood.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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