Pedro Lobos works in shipping for Raj Manufacturing at 850 S. Broadway, and he’s putting in plenty of hours these days because the label is providing a steady stream of stylish dresses, scarves, and other women’s apparel to customers throughout the U.S. Lobos came to the U.S. from his native land of Guatemala in 2004, and he’s been working for Raj Manufacturing for the past three years. He worked as a sewer in the garment industry in Guatemala, but now he’s busy loading trucks and getting goods out to department stores and specialty retailers. Lobos says he likes the job—mostly because it’s so busy. That’s especially good to hear these days, and another reminder that economic downturns are tough, but they don’t wash away all the skills and energy of the entrepreneurs who make businesses work (see related story, home page; photo and caption; Commentary, home page).
Local Hero - 03/05/2010
We recognized Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz upon his arrival as the leader of the agency’s Centra ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 02/19/2010
Alfonso Chacon works at the Fashion Design Center at 117 W. 9th Street, where handles a variety of daily maintenance tasks ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 02/05/2010
Kurt Bier decided not to pass the offices of the Working People’s Law Center during a bicycle ride around the Echo Park di ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 01/22/2010
Business is slow for Downtown retailers these days, but Marcos Moreno still finds plenty of good as he works the counter a ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 01/08/2010
Richard Smith is a longtime resident of the Skid Row district of Downtown, where he does his best to look out for the comm ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 12/18/2009
Lydia Choi is one of the business owners who make Broadway special. Choi owns Mikado, a restaurant located at the southwes ... [ Full Story ]
Local Heroes - 12/04/2009
Imelda Rodriguez (left), daughter Maria Hernandez, and son Oscar Cerezo work together at Sew Rights Fashion Inc. at 939 S. ... [ Full Story ]
Local Heroes - 11/06/2009
Memories are more than old facts—they’re also a matter of feelings and perspective. El Centro Del Pueblo, a non-profit soc ... [ Full Story ]
Local Hero - 10/23/2009
Hector Peralta likes life in Los Angeles just fine. The native of Mexico City says that he is happy with his work handling ... [ Full Story ]
Local Heroes - 10/09/2009
Max Azria, famed designer and founder of the BCBG fashion label, shares a moment with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigo ... [ 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.
