ANOTHER L.A. ICON IS FADING AWAY: OLVERA STREET’S FAMOUS BURRO STAND LOSES EVICTION FIGHT

One of the most recognizable and photographed traditions on Olvera Street is now on the verge of disappearing. The iconic stuffed burro stand, where generations of families have stopped to take pictures, has lost its legal battle and is being forced out.

A judge ruled that the owner of the stand, Richard Hernandez, must be evicted, bringing a painful new chapter to a long-running dispute between the family behind La Carreta and the city of Los Angeles.

For many Angelenos and tourists, this is not just about a business. It is about memory, culture, family tradition, and a piece of old Los Angeles that has been around since 1968. Countless children, parents, and grandparents have posed for photos there over the decades.

The family says they tried to work things out and even offered to pay what was owed, but the city would not negotiate. Now, a landmark that welcomed visitors for generations may soon be gone.

That is why this story is hitting people so hard. In a city that keeps changing, many see the loss of the burro stand as one more sign that historic, deeply rooted traditions are being pushed aside.

What is being evicted is not just a stand.
It is a symbol of Olvera Street, of family memories, and of a Los Angeles that many people feel is disappearing.

For a lot of people, this one feels personal.