Barrio Services

As wholesale sections of Los Angeles continue to undergo demographic change, from chiefly African-American to chiefly Hispano-American, commercial corridors are transformed.

Panaderias emerge, wig/braid/curl shops vanish, and Party Suppliers proliferate. Si, fiestas! The Mexican Bureau of Popular Cultures has identified at least 10,000 fiestas that are celebrated by different communities in Mexico. Many are now celebrated here, along with other Latin American festivities, and near-universal social-gatherings like birthdays, sporting events, and religious occasions.










Jumpers or Bouncers (inflatable play structures) are very popular. The word "jumper" hasn't a spanish language equivalent evidently, whereas other items--sillas, mesas, pelotas, are often billed in Spanish.










So prevalent are party rental stores, that more than one may occupy the same block (Vermont and 30th). Some, like the all-purpose pharmacia or versatile cafeteria, reject the specialty model, and operate as a defacto florist or confectionery.

The Pinata, which probably derives from Pre-Columbian Aztec ritual clay pots, is another staple (and one of Mexico's greatest cultural cross-overs). Pinatas, filled with toys and candy--traditionally sugar cane--accompany more than just kiddie fests. In the Mexican Catholic celebration of Christmas a seven-pointed star is featured, representing the seven deadly sins. That which the devil is witholding--the contents of the pinata--are released by striking blindfolded, a display of faith. Neighborhood food markets, like Mercado Uno, sell pinatas as well.



Ellen's Party Supplies operates a virtual compound on King Boulevard with dual storefronts. Ellen's offers vending machines of all kinds, floral materials, and audio gear. An employee said the business depends most on theme-based birthday parties for boys and Quinceaneras, which celebrate a young woman's fifteenth birthday, or coming of age. Because Quinceaneras are such a large event, the celebrant holds a court composed of fourteeen girls (damas) and fifteen boys (chambelanes), with dancing, and props (the throwing of the quince doll), they tend to be the most profitable.

Growing up in Oakland California, I attended plenty of birthday parties, luaus (I have family from Hawaii), and Bar Mitzvahs, but never a Quinceanera. I kind of feel like I missed out on something.