​We, the undersigned residents, customers, and supporters of Northeast Los Angeles, call on you to take immediate action to prevent the displacement of long-standing small businesses at your property.
For nearly two decades, READ Books has served Eagle Rock as more than a bookstore, it is a gathering space, a cultural anchor, and a place where generations of residents have grown up. Nearby businesses like Owl Talk and Jennifer Montgomery Child Therapy similarly contribute to the social and economic fabric of this neighborhood.

Today, these businesses face devastating rent increases, reportedly exceeding 100% in some cases. READ Books alone has cited a rent hike of more than 130%, a level no small, independent business can reasonably absorb. This is not an isolated case. Across Eagle Rock Boulevard and throughout North East Los Angeles, small businesses are being displaced following property sales and abrupt rent spikes. Legal advocates confirm that commercial tenants currently lack meaningful protections against such increases, despite limited safeguards under California’s SB 1103.

While SB 1103 requires advance notice for major rent increases, it does not prevent them. As a result, cherished neighborhood institutions are forced out, not because they failed, but because the system offers them no viable path to stay. This pattern harms not only business owners, but the entire community. Longstanding businesses build local identity, foster relationships, and sustain walkable neighborhood economies. Their displacement often leads to empty storefronts, reduced foot traffic, and the erosion of community character.

We respectfully demand:
1. Immediate Rent Stabilization
Adjust proposed rent increases to a fair, sustainable level consistent with long-term small business viability in Eagle Rock.

2. Good-Faith Lease Negotiations
Engage current tenants in transparent, good-faith discussions to establish longer-term leases that provide stability rather than displacement.

3. Full Compliance with SB 1103 Protections
Ensure all eligible tenants receive legally required notice periods and are informed of their rights under California law.

4. A Commitment to Community Preservation
Recognize the value of legacy small businesses and prioritize their retention as essential contributors to Eagle Rock’s identity and economy.

Displacement at this scale is not revitalization, it is erasure.

Our Community Commitment:
If these businesses are forced out due to unsustainable rent increases, we will organize, publicize, and mobilize in support of impacted tenants and hold property ownership accountable through sustained community action. Eagle Rock deserves growth that includes the people and businesses who built it.