“Small businesses shine in monthly West Adams Pop-up Sale”

Candles, crystals and community: for small business owner Janet Ortega, that’s what MidCity Mercado, a monthly pop-up in the West Adams area, is all about.

“It doesn’t seem like you’re there to sell or really do business,” Ortega said. “You just feel like you’re at home with family and you feel really safe there.”

Ortega is one of over 20 vendors who sold and shared their products at the MidCity Mercado from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The event features local vendors who sell and share food, drinks, clothing, plants and more.

Ortega’s business Yerba Mystica Botanica, sells an array of spiritual candles, plants, incense and crystals online. The MidCity Mercado is the one event she takes her business in-person. She was inspired to start her online business in 2020 as a way to cope through loss.

“I basically started this brand just to sell stuff that I was passionate about,” Ortega said. “I was going through the grieving process since I lost my brother two years ago, and I just wanted to do something that would make me feel like me again.”

Ortega said her favorite part of MidCity Mercado is getting to connect with other vendors and share stories of their experiences and brand purpose.

“It makes you feel you’re in a safe place, like it’s okay to be you,” Ortega said. “Nowadays, it’s so hard to actually really show off who you really are, but there... no one’s going to judge you. If anything, people are going to welcome you.”

By Jose Romo, Mateo Gutierrez, Sophie Sperber and Rory Burke

April 18, 2022 at 1:29 pm PDT