Gift Shop Won’t Be Leaving Train Depot, Officials Say
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SANTA ANA — Under pressure from commuters, city officials said Monday they will not oust the owner of K. Lee Gifts from the Santa Ana Transportation Center.
Kwang Lee, 56, still must vacate by March 30 the spot where she has run a gift shop for 10 years. But city officials promised her on Monday that they would build a new space for her at the train depot.
“I am so happy today,” Lee said.
Lee has provided tired, bored commuters with drinks, snacks and conversation since 1988. She has been known to loan sweaters on cold, windy nights and to bless travelers with a cross she keeps behind her counter.
Last month, the City Council voted to rent Lee’s 900-square-foot shop to Foster Assessment Center and Testing Services, a private company that provides job-placement services.
Mayor Miguel Pulido said the majority of the council and the city staff believed the company was a good fit with other welfare-to-work services that are housed at the transportation center. None of them predicted their action would lead to such bitter debate.
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