The LACC Swap Meet has always been more than rows of canopies and tables. It’s the smell of fresh food at 8 a.m., kids weaving through the aisles with churros in hand, vendors greeting regulars by name, and neighbors catching up between booths. It’s a weekend tradition and a gathering place that has shaped this part of Los Angeles for decades.
Right now, though, our swap meet is facing some of its toughest challenges ever. Rumors, half-truths, and finger-pointing have started to replace real conversation. Instead of helping us solve problems, the noise is drowning out the voices that matter most: yours. That’s why we’re launching a brand-new weekly video podcast dedicated to telling the full, honest story of what’s happening at the LACC Swap Meet and the streets around it.
Why We’re Starting This Podcast
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the so-called “downfall” of our beloved swap meet—why vendor sales are changing, why some shoppers are staying away, what’s happening with street vending, and who is being blamed. Too often, this story is told from the outside looking in.
Our new weekly video podcast, hosted by Phillip Dane, is here to change that. Instead of letting others define the narrative, we’re creating a space where the people who live this reality every weekend can speak for themselves. Our goal is simple: to set the record straight and document the real, on-the-ground experiences of the community that built this market.
Each episode will explore topics such as:
The challenges vendors and shoppers are facing right now at the LACC Swap Meet
How nearby businesses and residents feel about recent changes in the area
The impact of street vending around the swap meet and neighborhood corridors
Ideas, solutions, and visions for keeping LACC Swap Meet alive and thriving
New episodes will drop every Friday night, giving our community a weekly space to learn, reflect, and respond together.
Who We Want to Hear From
This podcast is for everyone who is directly affected by what’s happening in and around the LACC Swap Meet. If the changes in our market or neighborhood have touched your life or livelihood, we want you to have a seat at the table—and a voice on camera.
We’re inviting:
Registered LACC Swap Meet vendors who have seen shifts in business, attendance, or safety over time.
Neighbors and local residents who live near the campus and surrounding streets and are experiencing changes in noise, traffic, or day-to-day life.
Nearby brick-and-mortar stores and small businesses who are feeling the impact of shifting foot traffic and vending patterns.
Shoppers and families who love the swap meet, rely on it for affordable goods, and don’t want to see it disappear.
We are also specifically inviting street vendors and advocates connected to the corridors around the swap meet. If you are a street vendor or an advocate for the illegal street vending exclusively on Monroe, Marathon, Madison, and Vermont (between Marathon and Monroe), we want to hear your side as well. This is not about silencing anyone. It’s about understanding all perspectives so our community can see the full picture and work toward solutions that are fair and realistic.
A Safe, Respectful Space for Honest Conversation
The podcast will be guided by host Phillip Dane, who has years of experience working with markets, vendors, and community spaces. Each episode will focus on thoughtful, respectful discussion—not shouting matches or “gotcha” moments.
Our goals are to:
Listen to people who are most affected, in their own words
Ask real, direct questions about what’s happening and why
Document how current policies and practices are affecting everyday people
Highlight shared concerns and possible paths forward
We believe that when you can see the human beings behind the headlines and social media clips, it becomes easier to find common ground. The swap meet has always been about relationships—between vendors and customers, neighbors and small businesses, campus and community. This podcast is an extension of that spirit.
We also know that language can be a major barrier to being heard. To make sure everyone can participate fully, interpreters will be provided for guests who need them. Vendors, workers, and neighbors who are more comfortable speaking Spanish or other languages will be able to share their stories clearly and confidently.
How to Get Involved
This podcast will only be as strong as the voices that fill it—and that’s where you come in. Whether your experience has been positive, negative, or somewhere in between, we want to hear your honest story.
You can get involved by:
Signing up to share your story as a guest. Keep an eye on our official LACC Swap Meet channels and look for information at the market itself on how to apply to be on the show.
Recommending guests. If you know a vendor, neighbor, worker, or local business owner who has an important perspective, encourage them to participate.
Watching and sharing each episode. New video podcast episodes will be released every Friday night. Share them with friends, fellow vendors, and neighbors so more people can understand what’s really happening.
Using these conversations as a springboard for action. Talk about what you hear. Bring ideas to your community groups, neighborhood meetings, and vendor circles. Push for solutions that keep the swap meet alive while respecting all who live and work nearby.
Let’s Keep LACC Swap Meet Alive—Together
The LACC Swap Meet has survived and thrived for decades because of people like you: vendors setting up at sunrise, families strolling the aisles every weekend, neighbors grabbing food and running into friends, students discovering treasures between classes. This market is a living piece of Los Angeles culture, built by everyday people who show up week after week.
We are not ready to let that spirit fade quietly or be written off by outside voices. This new video podcast is one way we’re fighting for the future of the swap meet we all love. It’s a place to tell the truth, face hard questions, and imagine a future where the LACC Swap Meet can continue to be a safe, vibrant, and welcoming space for everyone.
If you care about what happens next—whether you sell, shop, live nearby, or advocate in the streets—we invite you to step in front of the camera and be part of the story. New episodes every Friday night. Hosted by Phillip Dane. Interpreters available. All voices welcome.
Let’s talk. Let’s listen. And let’s work together to keep the LACC Swap Meet alive.