On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, VSEDC and ICON CDC celebrated a major milestone in empowering Los Angeles’ historic street vending community. At the heart of this celebration was Nashdre Ache, also known as Don Antonio, who became the recipient of a fully health department-approved street vending cart through the organizations’ Street Vending Program.
Don Antonio’s story is one of grit, cultural pride, and community support. For 18 years, he sold tamales and traditional Mexican dishes on the streets of Los Angeles without a permit, relying on word-of-mouth and the love of his food to build a loyal following. While his food brought joy to many, his livelihood was constantly at risk.
“They threw away all my tamales and my tools,” recalled Don Antonio’s partner. “It was heartbreaking.”
THE ROOTS OF A STREET VENDOR
Don Antonio’s journey into food began after moving to the U.S. from Mexico. At first, he didn’t know how to cook. His mother prepared meals for his children while he worked. But after arriving in the States, his passion for cooking grew, as he learned to make tamales, pozole, tacos, birria, guisados and other traditional Mexican dishes. He began sharing his food at family parties, and the demand grew until vending became a natural next step.
Street vending has long been part of Los Angeles’ cultural and economic fabric. While it was decriminalized in California in 2018 under the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, the process to become a permitted, health-certified vendor became significantly more complicated in 2023 and 2024. New health department regulations introduced costly requirements, including special carts, training courses, and permits. These complex processes created barriers many vendors simply couldn’t overcome on their own.
A PATHWAY TO PERMITTING
That changed when Don Antonio found ICON CDC on Facebook. Through their Street Vending Program, he received guidance on everything from health code compliance to navigating city permits. With their help, he finally secured what had once felt impossible: a fully compliant, health-certified street vending cart.
“I’m very happy,” Don Antonio said through tears. “Now I can vend without fear and grow.”
With his new health-approved cart and support system, Don Antonio’s plans include expanding to more carts, building a team, and growing his business into a full-fledged operation.
PARTNERSHIP IN ACTION
This cart give-away initiative is part of the ongoing partnership between VSEDC and ICON CDC, two organizations that operate BusinessSource Centers in South L.A. and work collaboratively to reduce systemic barriers for small businesses. By referring clients to each other and pooling resources, they help entrepreneurs launch and grow sustainable, compliant businesses.
Together, they empower people like Don Antonio to navigate complex regulatory systems and preserve the rich cultural legacy of street vending in Los Angeles, an economic lifeline for immigrant communities and a cherished part of the city’s identity.
As Don Antonio and his partner stood proudly beside their new tamale cart, it wasn’t just a celebration of one man’s success. It was a symbol of hope for thousands of street vendors who dream of a thriving business. With the continued support of VSEDC and ICON, that dream is now closer than ever.
