NOTE: I wrote several things for AOL's laughably incomplete "African American Local Scene" feature. This is one of them.

Inside the massive warehouse sitting right next to a railroad junction, smart shoppers can find virtually anything. Clothes are the most common item sold, including everything from brand names (or scarily convincing knock-offs) to work-style uniforms and everything in between. Sneakers and boots are often wrapped in clear plastic for display, as virtually every kind of athletic shoe, dress loafer or boot can be found here. Leather coats, traditional African garb, pajamas, children's clothes, athletic socks, baseball caps... aisle after aisle of choices. There's also a full service stereo shop in the parking lot, dwarfed by the sheer volume of electronics inside -- TVs, VCRs, low-end PC computers and so on. The customary music shops are there, featuring both albums you can find in music stores everywhere right alongside bootlegs and unauthorized releases. Some of the city's finest embroidery shops are available to customize and personalize everything from a T-shirt to car cover. Furniture, collectibles, toys... The sheer variety of things to buy is staggering. A small, dilapidated set of video games on the northeast corner provide entertainment for anyone not up for a marathon shopping session, and numerous snack bars are happy to give a weary shopper the energy to keep going.

The parking lot is large, but can become seriously congested on weekends, despite having entrances on three streets. You're best served by entering from Western and manuevering your way as close to the main building as possible, although street parking is available if the lot overflows. Burly security guards overlook the entire scene as the sounds of subwoofer satisfaction massage your ears from shiny cars rolling through the lot. Few places in LA draw this kind of attention, and the Slauson Swap Meet (few people who go there call it a "super mall") is well worth the trip.