“I knew I wanted to have my own business,” Mrs. Monrroy said on a recent weekday afternoon on Hollywood Boulevard, where her childhood wish has come true. “Mango, water, soda, Gatorade, hot dog!” she calls out to the crowds traipsing over Hollywood Walk of Fame stars dedicated to Bruce Willis and Billy Crystal. In Los Angeles alone, an estimated 10,000 street vendors sell food. Until recently, vendors along Hollywood Boulevard were operating outside the law. And while longtime street vendors respect and recognize the turf of other regulars, there are more sellers working in the area, and competition has increased.

---

Persons: Kurtis Lee, Ruth Monrroy, “, ”, Monrroy, Bruce Willis, Billy Crystal, —, carne asada tacos Organizations: Gatorade, Hollywood Locations: Guatemala, California, Fresno, Oakland, Los Angeles, Hollywood