Market in Turmoil

I lived in Echo Park from 1988 to 1996 & frequently shopped at the Pioneer Market. Great Hispanic food, very friendly people, & much fun during holidays.But my strongest memory is from the 1992 riot following acquittal of the police involved in the Rodney King beating.
I thought for sure Echo Park (& the Pioneer) were too far away from the looting & burning. But the first day of the rioting (4/29/1992), I couldn't get into the parking lot because the entrances were blocked by grocery carts. And on the next day, National Guard troops stood
guard all around the store. It was truly bizarre to see this friendly neighborhood grocery store that I'd shopped at for years surrounded by obviously armed military officers.
--Dana Graves