The LA 2028 Olympic development small business displacement crisis is forcing long-standing local owners out of their shops to clear space for event infrastructure. In Inglewood, California, the city recently acquired and slated a major shopping center at Market Street and Florence Avenue for demolition. The site will be converted into a parking lot and bus transfer hub for visitors attending the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games, placing over 20 small businesses on the brink of closure.
Small Business Owners Forced Out Ahead of LA 2028 Olympic Development
Sam Jung, 69, owner of Inglewood Beauty Supply, is currently running a liquidation sale. Jung has operated his beauty supply store and salon at the location for 18 years. Despite having three years remaining on his lease, the city notified him and 22 other tenants in July that they must vacate within 90 days.
Jung expressed deep frustration over the city’s approach to relocation and financial loss. “They are telling us to leave a business we built over 18 years just to build a massive parking lot,” Jung said. “Our customer base and goodwill are vital assets, but the city only mentions moving expenses while failing to offer fair compensation for our lost livelihoods.”
Originally part of the ambitious $2 billion Inglewood Transit Connector (ITC) project, the plan was scaled down due to funding shortages. The current $287.5 million plan focuses on shuttle buses and transit facilities to link the Metro K Line with venue hubs like SoFi Stadium, Kia Forum, and Intuit Dome.
Rising Costs and Uncertain Compensation Threaten Relocation
While Inglewood Mayor James Butts stated that the project benefits the entire city and expressed sympathy for affected tenants, business owners feel left behind. The alternative space suggested by the city measures 2,700 square feet with a monthly rent of $11,000βoffering less space at a significantly higher cost. Renovations for basic utilities are estimated at $200,000.
Having rebuilt his business after suffering severe losses during the 1992 LA Riots, Jung faces an uncertain future as the eviction deadline approaches without a finalized compensation offer from the city.
By Eunyoung Lee
