Essex Street Market (former) – New York NY

Description

New York’s 15,000-square-foot Essex Street Market, located along the east side of Essex Street between Rivington and Delancey Streets, was constructed with the assistance of the Work Projects Administration (WPA). The market opened in 1940. It was “one of eight similar markets built by LaGuardia and financed in part by federal money from the WPA.” (blogs.forward.com)

After many years of vibrant activity, first with Jewish and Italian residents and vendors, and then with Puerto Ricans as neighborhood demographics shifted, the increasing popularity of supermarkets had reduced the number of vendors in the Essex Street Market from 475 to 59. In the 1990s, the New York City Economic Development Corporation assumed control of the market and undertook a massive renovation, saving the market from closure. In 2011, the market was reopened, offering a wide variety of foods and other boutique products.

In 2014, Essex Market was targeted for demolition as part of a massive redevelopment project called “Essex Crossing”, which would include space for a revamped market, but that project has not gotten off the ground.  In 2016, the Essex Market was decorated by a series of murals by Gera Lozano.

In May 2019, the Essex Market closed and the vendors were relocated to another facility across the street. Is it expected that the market will be demolished and replaced with housing.