The laundromat in the little shopping center at Echo Park Avenue and Montana Street has no name—its sign just says LAUDROMAT. It does have a reputation as a clean and well-kept facility that also serves as a center where neighbors in Echo Park can enjoy conversations with one another as they do their wash. Martin Davila is an important part of all that because he helps keep the place clean and the machines in working order. Davila pitches in to help his wife, Jessica, who works at the laundromat full-time. Davila used to work full-time at a factory in Santa Fe Springs, but he recently got laid off from the job. He says he enjoys spending time at the laundromat because he can always find friends there. “Everyone looks for me here because I’m always happy,” he adds. Davila isn’t letting the recently layoff get him down, either, so everyone can still count on getting a smile from him when they show up at the laundromat.
Local Hero - 09/19/2008
Louise Capone is a senior recreation director for the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, overseeing Pershing ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 09/12/2008
Irantzu Pujadas is a new face on the staff of 14th District Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar, serving as his dep ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 09/05/2008
Michael Murray isn’t looking for any fights these days. He’s serves as a security guard at the Union Bank of California br ... [ Full Story ]
Local Heroes - 08/29/2008
Guadalupe Ceballos (left) is a fortunate man. He owns a restaurant that is named after his daughter, and he says he thinks ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 08/22/2008
A lot has changed for the New Los Angeles Theater Center and the rest of the 500 block of S. Spring Street. New plays and ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 08/08/2008
Not every immigrant hopes to stay in the U.S. forever. Count Mariano Garcia as one who wants to put in an honest day’s wor ... [ Full Story ]
Local Heroes - 08/01/2008
9th District Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry’s effort to restrict new fast-food restaurants in a large section of ... [ Full Story ]
Local Heroes - 07/25/2008
It’s not often that someone is featured as a Local Hero twice, but this week brings an exception for Gokce Evran, pictured ... [ Full Story ]
Local Heroes - 07/18/2008
David Zahniser and Mariel Garza are both residents of the Echo Park district northwest of Downtown, where they recently vo ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 07/11/2008
Jessica Morillo is a familiar face to many in the Echo Park district northwest of Downtown. She looks after things at the ... [ Full Story ]
The Los Angeles Garment & Citizen is the community newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding neighborhoods, including the Arts District, Chinatown, Echo Park, Little Tokyo, Pico-Union, Silver Lake and Westlake.The Garment & Citizen reaches more than 20,000 readers weekly, an audience that spans the demographic makeup of the city and serves as the leading edge of statewide and national trends.
