Carla’s presents the first of its kind grocery store that brings together farm fresh produce and unique but sensible food products from celebrated and emerging BIPOC food makers
Ariell Ilunga openend Carla’s Fresh Market in Highland Park on Nov. 15 in a beautifully designed 3,000 square foot market that functions as a neighborhood grocery store.
Championing the ethos of a Farmers’ Market, Carla’s Fresh Market provides the northeast Los Angeles community with access to farm-sourced vegetables and fruits, farm-raised meats, and sustainable seafood.
“Carla’s Fresh Market has been in the works for several years. What started as a pop-up has transformed into a full service grocery store with an earnest focus on supporting our diverse foodmakers, growers, and most importantly, our neighborhood,” said Ilunga. “While Highland Park has an ample array of markets to choose from, I hope locals will see Carla’s Fresh Market as a place of community.”
The handpicked pantry selection highlights forward-thinking food makers and better for you clean brands for all the essentials, including beans, rice, sauces, spices, and more. The market also features a sommelier-curated selection of wine and beer, a coffee stand selling fresh bread, pastries, and sandwiches, and a forthcoming prepared foods section designed with families in mind.
Ilunga’s vision is to make a large impact on local communities by providing a vibrant and dynamic food source, while supporting California family farms and game-changing food products by lending its platform as a place of discovery.
To support the local community, Carla’s Fresh Market will offer a Sunday Happy Hour that provides EBT customers discounted prices on produce.
Carla’s Fresh Market exists due in part to funding received from the LISC L.A.’s Asset Building for Communities of Color (ABC) program which receives funding from Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund.
“Carla’s Fresh Market would not have been possible without the financial support from the LISC ABC program, funded by Wells Fargo. I did not come from generational wealth or have VC backers involved in the development of my dream,” explained Ilunga. “Program leaders saw potential and promise in my vision to make meaningful change in the neighborhood. They’re incredible easy to work with and genuinely want to help build equity and opportunity in the BIPOC community.”
The ABC program was designed to empower diverse small business owners across Los Angeles County to grow, scale, create jobs, and fuel wealth creation. In addition to funding, the program also provides recipients with technical assistant to make leasehold improvements and purchase inventory.
Carla’s Fresh Market is located on 248 North Avenue 50, Los Angeles, CA 90042.
Small businesses interested in learning more about and applying for the ABC program can get more information here.