New York

You’ve probably heard of the Essex Street Market by now. On its last legs only a few years ago, it’s been revitalized thanks to the tenacity of the long time tenants, the creativity of the new ones, and the overwhelming force of the LES real estate market. The City of New York also never gave up on it (although I’m sure it was very tempting at times in the ‘80s). Well, there’s another great little public market out in another gentrifying ‘hood—Williamsburg. The Moore Street Market has been around sine the 1930s, and it has become a neighborhood institution for the Puerto Rican and Latino community. But now the city wants to move the tenants out of the original building into a new location. This move would completely destroy the fabric of the market community. Mayor LaGuardia would be rolling in his grave no doubt. With a little effort by the city they could probably rent the vacant stalls and renergize the market. Let's hope the city changes its mind and gives Moore Street another chance.

Photo:  Craig Nelson