Within the previous 5 years, she amassed round 100 citations, she mentioned, and has paid a number of hundred {dollars} that she hopes might be refunded as a part of the pending lawsuit.

Final yr, Mrs. Soto’s husband started getting weekly kidney dialysis, and Mrs. Soto took a little bit of day without work in March to recuperate from a hysterectomy. Whereas she and her husband couldn’t work, a bunch of distributors pooled their earnings and gave the couple $3,000 to assist them make ends meet.

Though she’s again at work, Mrs. Soto mentioned enterprise was missing.

“After the pandemic, every thing modified,” she mentioned. “It’s not as straightforward because it was earlier than. It’s the financial system. Now it’s very gradual. Individuals are complaining about cash, concerning the taxes they should pay. They don’t spend as a lot as earlier than.”

She hasn’t made $900 in per week since final summer season, Mrs. Soto mentioned, and through one week final month she introduced in solely $360 in 5 days. It’s troublesome to maintain up with the $2,000-a-month lease on their one-bedroom residence, she mentioned.

Her 19-year-old son works at a close-by shoe retailer to assist cowl the prices, she mentioned, and he or she might quickly search for one other job she will be able to work within the mornings earlier than setting as much as promote sizzling canines.

“The scenario may be very, very unhealthy,” she mentioned.

As a thick marine layer descended over the town, Mrs. Soto flipped on a light-weight over her cart and zipped up her hoodie. A four-wheel meals supply robotic — considered one of many who traverse this a part of Los Angeles — whizzed previous.

It was a comparatively quiet evening within the coronary heart of Hollywood and, after seven hours, Mrs. Soto was completed along with her shift.

Her whole for the day: $85. She hoped the following day would go higher.