UCLA

This thesis explores the role of night markets in Los Angeles as sites of economic opportunity, cultural expression, and community formation. Through a qualitative research design grounded in ethnographic methods, this study explores the social, spatial, and economic dynamics that shape vendor experiences. Drawing on seven semi-structured interviews and participant observation across multiple night market locations, I document vendor narratives to understand how these spaces support their business operations. Guiding this research are three central research questions: (1) How do night markets support vendors in establishing their businesses while also creating a space for cultural expression and community belonging? (2) How do vendors market their products, manage day-to-day business responsibilities, and utilize community networks to expand their operations? (3) What challenges do vendors face in operating their businesses and maintaining profitability? This study is informed by theories of urban informality, placemaking, and cultural identity to examine how vendors reimagine public space. Findings reveal that night markets serve as platforms for entrepreneurship and creative expression. Vendors utilize these spaces to build customer bases, gain exposure, and strengthen ties with their communities. Many vendors operate family-run businesses and utilize kin-based support systems to divide labor more effectively. However, significant challenges persist including rising participation fees, inconsistent organizer support, and the logistical burdens of operating a business. These insights may inform alternative approaches to street vending regulation and deepen understandings of the structural barriers vendors face. This research ultimately seeks to uplift the contributions of vendors, often Latinx immigrants, who play a vital role in the informal economic sector and in nourishing our communities.