Closure of Santa Ana 99 Cents Only Store

Photographer Lorena Alvarez documented the final days of the recently shuttered Santa Ana 99 Cents Only store, capturing portraits of shoppers. Los Angeles Times columnist and friend of Citric Acid Gustavo Arellano offered his own take on the political and cultural implications of the closure, an affectionate eulogy. Please hit the black arrow at bottom right to view all images.

Lorena Alvarez is a working class, first-gen, Latina photographer based out of Orange County, California. Her passion for photography began when she received her first point-and-shoot camera in middle school. She has dedicated time and effort to pursue her creative ventures since then. Her creativity is driven by the lack of diversity within the photography field and the need for more representation. Her work consists of portraits, concerts, and familial events. She writes: "I strive to encapsulate each moment and break down barriers — all within a click of a button."