It’s been a few days since we updated the progress of the Hester Street Fair, the weekend market coming to Seward Park next month. It’s pretty clear the neighborhood is responding to the new venture in a big way. They’ve had a Facebook Page for awhile. Now there’s also a full-fledged web site and, of course, a Twitter account.
There’s news of some new vendors, including Chocolate-maven Roni-Sue Kave (of the Essex Street Market) and her daughter Allison Kave of First Prize Pies. Chocolate and pie – how can you go wrong? Among the other vendors announced via Facebook: Malbon Bros. Barbeque (via Frank’s Chop Shop), Sigmund Pretzel Shop, Mile End Bagels (from Montreal/Brooklyn), Gargyle (the Orchard Street clothing store), Luke’s Lobster, Severely Vintage (Williamsburg), An Choi, Devotte Shoes and the Lower East Side Ecology Center.
There’s an interesting video on the Hester Street Fair’s web site, recalling the block’s roots as a center of commerce. According to a newspaper story, there were about 1500 pushcart peddlers licensed to sell their wares (mostly fish) on or near Hester Street. It’s not completely clear where the scenes (from Edison Films, 1903) were shot, but a description said the location was probably Hester Street:
