After a knee injury, Rafael found a permanent corner where he continues serving his community.

When I approached Rafael, he greeted me with a smile and happily answered every question I had. His willingness to share his story reflected the openness that many street vendors bring to their work.

Rafael has been a street vendor for about a year, but his business looked very different when he first started. Instead of staying in one location, he spent his days walking throughout Los Angeles selling fresh fruit. After injuring his knee, however, that was no longer possible.

Today, Rafael operates from a regular spot on Pico Boulevard, across from a Pizza Hut, where the steady foot traffic allows customers to find him each day. He now works from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.

His stand specializes in bananas and avocados, though getting those products to customers takes considerable effort. Several times a week, Rafael travels to the Central Market to purchase inventory, often spending around $300 before selling a single piece of fruit.

Some days, 25 to 30 customers stop by. On slower days, that number may be closer to 15. Like many vendors, each day depends on the weather, the neighborhood, and the flow of people passing by.

Although a knee injury changed the way he works, it didn't stop him from continuing. Rafael simply adapted, turning a business that once relied on constant movement into one built around consistency, familiar faces, and a corner of Los Angeles he now calls home.

Quick Facts

Name: Rafael

Products: Bananas & Avocados

Location: Pico Blvd & Toberman St.

Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM–7:00 PM

Time Active: 1 Year

Most Popular Items: Bananas & Avocados

Biggest Challenge: Purchasing Inventory at Central Market

Average Customers: 15–30 Per Day

By Austin Iluore

From Walking to Standing Strong