El Toro Bargain - Tienda de Descuento - Grand Opening
This place has been like 10 different businesses. They don’t last long. I think this one lasted for like 6 or 7 months. I lived in this area for almost 6 years near downtown LA. I’ve since moved, but had a nice little roof-top loft which gave a sweeping vantage point of the happenings on the street and was a world away, environment-wise by comparison. Coming from the west side, it was a real adventure and a complete and total 100% change on all levels from anything resembling normalcy - Always some type drama going on down on the street. Friends called me crazy and I was probably one of the very, very few professional gringos living in this area. I liked it though, but it’s not for everyone. It is very diverse and always pulsing with activity. It depends on your comfort level. I am comfortable in most situations living or otherwise so for me, the adaptation was quick and easy.

If you are local, you know what I mean and will know that this area is also referred to as little Tijuana. Lots of stabbings, muggings, gang activity, belt fights in the street, muchos borrachos, religious screamers with mega horns, gun shots, sirens, multiple simultaneous Quinceañera’s, loud music, street crap selling, etc. Pretty much anything you wanted, you could get on the street. From tools, shoes and pirated DVD’s right on down to weapons, drugs and corn on the cob served on a stick. Those are damn good!