WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — Despite quixotic efforts to remain open in a fight against redevelopment, the end is officially just weeks away for West Valley City's iconic Redwood Drive-In and Swap Meet.
Organizers announced the long-running event that has served residents for decades will close on Sunday, December 22.
The closing date comes following a battle to stave off plans for EDGEhomes to turn the site of the Redwood Drive-In into 40 condominiums and 244 townhouses.
Although the final swap meet is still weeks away, vendors are expected to wrap up even earlier due to winter weather conditions.
The site's property owners told the city that they wanted to sell because operations, including the swap meet, were "unprofitable."
In September, the West Valley City City Council voted to approve the rezoning of the site to allow for the housing development, leaving many who depend on the location to make a living wondering what they'd do next.
"I am asking right now: Is there a place in here? Where they can find for us? Because we are willing to move. We just need help,” said vendor Maya Dominguez in September.
The Redwood Drive-In first opened in 1948, with the swap meet starting decades ago and remaining open on weekends throughout the year.
With less than a month away from closing, vendors who depend on the swap meet for their livelihood are worried about where they’ll head next.
The Bautista family has sold women’s clothes at the swap meet for nearly 20 years. Daughter Vanessa Bautista considers it a second home.
“It’s really hard to see this community break and get torn apart,” she said. “Some of these people are my godparents, you know? I’ve known them for years. They’ve watched me grow up, finish school, and they've gone to my graduation.”
Vanessa and her brother Jonattan show up every weekend to help their mom who relies on the swap meet to pay her bills and medication.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty. We’re very stressed out financially. This was my mom’s only income,” she said.
In September, the West Valley City Council made the decision to close the iconic site and instead build 40 condos and 244 townhomes.
Vanessa’s mom, Lorena, isn’t quite ready for the change.
“We haven’t received help. I was expecting to receive help from the council, but I haven’t received any support,” Lorena said.
The Bautista family is looking for solutions.
“The council said it wasn’t thoroughly their problem; that’s what they kind of made it out to seem,” Vanessa said. “This is the livelihood of many others. People rely on this for their bills, food, and all of that.”
