Fresh and Easy Closing
December 15, 2015
After filing bankruptcy on Oct. 30, Downey’s Fresh and Easy, located on Firestone and Downey Ave., closes Nov. 20 as it is going on its sixth year open in the city.
“I cant believe it. I loved going there and I’m going to miss it,” Samantha Melgoza, 10, said. “I loved their pasta I used to go just for it.”
The last day for employees was on Nov. 21. Even with it closing, the employees still had a lot to do such as stocking what was left, watching the checkout or just boxing and unboxing produce. It became more hectic as more people tried to buy price reduced goods at the last minute.
“My daughter loved to go,” customer, Tamera Federico said. “It was the only place we could find ice-cream without lactose; now I don’t know where to find it.”
Fresh and Easy was known to hold products that were hard to come by and were a healthy alternative to most products from other stores. When the store closed those products were the first to go. Other stores such as Natureway located on Lakewood Blvd in Downey as well, sells those products as well.
The last day the store was open, Fresh and Easy had a sale. You could fill up a cart and everything inside the cart was $20-$40, no matter the original price. They even started selling the appliances used in the break room such as lockers and the safe.
“I got a job at Oldie,” Christina Marmolejo, ex employee said. “I’m very fortunate, I have a family to provide for and I don’t think I would have been able to get by.”
Since the whole company closed, the workers could not be transferred to another Fresh and Easy. Unfortunately, some ex-workers have not found a new job, others had a second job beforehand, or have already found a job.
“The concept of an outer-world beyond our true knowledge is captivating to me,” Torres said. “The fact that the mystery will never end is amazing to me; I can be 108 years old and still have the desire to lay under the stars.”
For Torres the darkness in the sky holds the chilliest feeling, and the realization that we are not the only planet with living necessities is fascinating as well as terrifying. The depth of secrets held in the universe can make a person want to run and hide.
“As much as I love space and all it comes with, it still spooks me knowing I will never truly know what lies ahead,” Torres said, “or if there even is an ‘ahead’ to go and search for. The whole thing is crazy, like ‘oh yeah, hey there’s a black hole near the 20th planet.’”
Torres was a rare child; she chose books that depicted the various concepts of space, rather than playing freeze tag alongside children like most kids do.
“When I was younger, I used to always only check out books depicting space, the ugly creatures found, and aliens, “Torres said. “I was the geekiest child. Add a fresh pair of glasses and short hair; I was not exactly your ‘it girl,’ but my weirdness only helped me connect with what I read.”
The placid moments people struggle to seek, Aimee-Nicole can find by simply staring up into the sky and relaxing. She hopes one day to be able to visit the N.A.S.A base. She plans on being an astronomer to help others understand what truly is going on in space.
“I saw a lot of videos and was like ‘you know what, I can do this,” Rios said. “I’ve made about five skirts but out of all of them I honestly only like two.”
Even though she does not really like many of the clothes she makes, she admits she wants to make her own prom dress this year, so she is often found wearing articles of clothing she has made. Since her style is more old school she is easier to find in a crowd.
“I think she takes off the things she’s interested in,” Stephanie Cornejo, 12, said. “A lot of people complement her on her wardrobe.”
Her friends are very supportive of her and her work. People have asked her if she can make them clothes and have even offered to pay her for clothes. All times she has denied their request, because she plans on keeping it as a hobby and not turning it into a business anytime soon.
“I don’t see myself doing it,” Rios said. “It’s just a pass time; I think it’s cool but I honestly don’t see myself making a career out if it.”
Rios does often think about having it as a career but she claims it is not the thing for her. She still does not know what career choice to make but she is leaning towards other interests.
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