A cafe in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles has been evicted after the landlord of the building raised the rent prices from $6,500 a month to $10,000. Suehiro Cafe has been in Little Tokyo since 1972, marking 51 years since its opening day. The reason for this eviction was to make way for a marijuana dispensary to take the cafe’s place.
Outside of Suehiro Cafe, protesters crowded 1st Street on Sunday, December 10, 2023. Their main goal was for the landlord to renew the lease. Protesters held up anti-marijuana signs, and signs that said “Little Tokyo is not for sale.” The protesters found out that the landlord did not renew the lease and officially filed paperwork for a dispensary to replace Suehiro Cafe.
Protesters are launching a boycotting campaign to boycott businesses that are destroying the area of its cultural heritage. They also are asking people to sign a pledge, claiming that the fight for Little Tokyo is more than just Suehiro Cafe.
In the meantime, Suehiro Cafe has opened a new location at 4th and Main Street.