New life is blooming in Leimert Park Village. The Plant Chica, located at 4311 Degnan Blvd., officially opened its doors on Saturday, Oct. 5.
The 1200 square foot outdoor space specializes in plants that are normally only found in warm climates and not commonly available in stores.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Councilmember Heather Hutt emphasized the importance of The Plant Chica’s presence in the community.
“Plant businesses promote environmental awareness and sustainability, encouraging residents to appreciate and care for their natural surroundings,” Hutt said.
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“The Plant Chica will contribute to the local economy by providing jobs and supporting local suppliers and artisans.”
The road to The Plant Chica location in Leimert Park Village was not a straight one. In 2018, Sandra Majia and her husband, Bantalem Adis, began setting up plant tables in various locations on the weekends. When they started selling out of plants, they created an Esty account, which grew exponentially overnight.
Next came a home-based greenhouse and eventually leased a space in Jefferson Park. The Plant Chica’s location in Jefferson Park thrived and developed a loyal clientele.
“It became a staple in the community,” Majia said. “The neighborhood kids thought Santa Claus lived at The Plant Chica.”
A developer’s purchase of land in Jefferson Park by led to the closure of The Plant Chica. Black Owned and Operated Community Land Trust, Inc. executives Robbie Lee and Prophet Walker read an article about The Plant Chica’s displacement and approached Majia about opening a space in Leimert Park Village.
Founded in 2017, Black Owned and Operated Community Land Trust is a community-based initiative to stabilize neighborhoods in Black and Under-served communities, where increased property values and rents have pushed out many long-term residents.
One of the locations Lee and Walked showed Majia was a vacant space owned by the nonprofit Community Build, Inc. in Leimert Park Village. The two introduced Majia to Community Build, Inc. CEO Robert Saucedo. Saucedo had visited The Plant Chica’s previous location in Jefferson Park and thought it would be a perfect use for open space.
“The entire Leimert Park area is undergoing a major shift. We can either get on board and be a part of the change, or we can get left behind at the station and that’s not an option,” Sausedo said.
“The Plant Chica brand, what they bring, and how they will activate the space, fits perfectly with our vision. It’s really going to be a game changer.”
Majia sees the relocation to Leimert Part as part of God’s plan that anything is possible.
The Plant Chica is proof of just giving in and trusting God because I couldn’t imagine anything as great as what we had before, and this is so much better.” Majia said.
“God had a plan for me. I just couldn’t see it at the time.”
