A family-owned market in Solana Beach, John’s Market, is facing declining customer traffic and sales, which owners Wendy and Carlo Aguilar attribute in part to fear of increased immigration enforcement. Since purchasing the market five years ago, they have developed close relationships with regular customers. However, in recent months, familiar faces have been less frequent, leading to a reported sales drop of over 50%.
Many customers, who typically work in service jobs, are spending less as they save for potential legal fees or the possibility of returning to their home country. Additionally, the Aguilars have noticed longtime customers leaving the area, often shipping personal belongings back to Mexico. The uptick in immigration enforcement in the San Diego region has led to over 9,000 detentions this year, exacerbating the situation.
Due to falling sales, the Aguilars are struggling with expenses like rent and utilities, and they fear they may soon have to close their market. Wendy Aguilar expressed the emotional weight of this decision, emphasizing that the market represents more than just a business to them. They plan to contemplate their future in the coming month, hoping for the best.
