Photo by Deanna Muñoz

Emily Wheeler
Editorial Intern

  Latinx Education Collaborative (LEC), in partnership with the Latino Foundation for the Arts, hosted its third weekly Pulga June 29. Open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., delicious food, live music and unique products from local Latino entrepreneurs were offered to patrons. This Pulga, meaning “flea market” in Spanish, takes place in the street next to the LEC,  2203 Lexington Ave. 

Weather has created a continuous hurdle for this year’s weekly Pulga events. With a rainy start to its first Pulga June 16, a heatwave June 22 and another down pour June 29, a larger turnout is expected for its final Pulga, July 13. With approximately 15 vendors, some of these attending businesses include various hispanic cuisines and artists, such as Snow and Roast, Flauta Mix LLC, Antojitos El Tony, Costa chica drinks, among others!

  Deanna Muñoz, founder of the Chicano Center for the Arts, (formerly Latino Arts Foundation) said this weekly Pulga gives locals a chance to understand the products available to them, and provides “a good community building space to support our Latino/a/e Chicano/a/e entrepreneurs.” Visitors can browse a vast array of products, from jewelry to books to incense holders and candles.

 Vendor and owner of Ms. Blinkx Jewels LLC — a mobile jewelry store offering bracelets, necklaces and earrings, — Gabby Iniguez, shared why she loves these Pulga events so much. “This is our time to shine,” said Iniquez. “Events like this allow the Latino/Chicano community to really show what we are able to do with our businesses and the community,” she said. 

  Trinidad Molina taught pop-up martial arts classes at the event June 22. Participants had the opportunity to learn basic martial art moves and techniques. The final Pulga of the summer will be July 13 next to 2203 Lexington Avenue, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.