Mujeres del Mercado

Fátima Flores was born in Honduras and into a lineage of strong women who instilled in her the value of perseverance, which she leans on as she raises her three children and continues to pursue her dreams. Fátima’s mother migrated alone to the United States when Fátima was three years old, with plans to work hard and save enough money to one day reunite with her four children whom she left behind. Fátima and her siblings would remain in Honduras with their Grandmother, a single mother, who not only raised her own nine children but also several of her grandchildren. Fátima recalls a humble life that, although lacking material things, was one filled with love and happiness.

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By 1997 Fatima’s mother managed to save enough money to have her children join her in South Central Los Angeles through her hard work as a street vendor. In Los Angeles, Fátima faced the same obstacles that many immigrant children experience upon arriving in a new country but was able to quickly adapt to a new culture, language, and family dynamic. Just as she was starting High School at the age of 14, Fátima became pregnant with her first child. Summoning her lineage of strength, she pushed forward and assimilated to being a young mother and with much determination was able to graduate from high school.  

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Fátima first arrived at Mercado La Paloma as a florist assistant at Lovely Creations, a flower shop in the Mercado.  Another Mercado vendor soon noticed her admirable work ethic and offered her a job. Fátima accepted the opportunity and has been working with Burger Plaza for 11 years now. Recently, when Burger Plaza’s owner became stranded in El Salvador due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions, Fátima stepped into a new leadership role and emits positivity and optimism as she navigates the intricacies of managing a restaurant during one of the most devastating times the service industry has had to endure. Although it is hard work, Fátima welcomes the challenge because she believes this is just getting her one step closer to her dream of one day owning her own restaurant.