Paul Borja wanted to earn some extra income on weekends, but when he went to the temporary labor office recommended by a friend early Monday morning on November 9, he found a “For Sale” sign at the place of business.

Labor Temp Services has closed its doors at 1118 Cesar E. Chavez Parkway. The once-thriving business succumbed to the slowdown in the economy.

“This was an easy place to get to via the trolley.” said Borja. “It’s hard to get to the temp places early in the morning so I can sign up for work. The earlier I get there, the better, since there are few jobs available. Now I have to try to find another place to sign up.”

Mark Scott of McMillin Realty, which is selling the site, said, “Victor had his Labor Temp Services at that location since 2002. It’s a really convenient location for a lot of laborers who pick up their assignments and tools before going to their work sites. Now he is looking to either lease or sell the various buildings on their corner site.”

Sylvia Rivera still answers the business phone "Labor Temp Services," but she said, “We are out of business and only working with a few construction crews. If you are looking for other temp agencies, I can recommend a couple, but they all have very little work.”