Among the more interesting sights in New York City are the night markets. There are several on Manhattan Island and in Brooklyn, one of the largest being near the water front on the west side at about 14th Street. During the summer a large open space of more than a city block in extent is used for the market. Here truck growers from Long Island, New Jersey and places out from New York City bring their produce by the cart, wagon and truck load for sale to the city buyers. The market opens officially at 11 o’clock at night, but for hours before, the carts and wagons are creaking in, loaded with everything in the line of fresh vegetables that one can think of—and in such quantities: Drivers who get in early curl up on the seat or wrap in a blanket under the wagon or car and snatch what sleep they can before the real business of the night begins. Buying begins soon after midnight, but the rush is on during the early hours of the morning. Everything—carts, wagons and produce—is all gone by seven o’clock in the morning. Everything is sold wholesale. Larger groceries send their own wagons and buyers, but jobbers handle the buying for the smaller markets up town. Instead of the housewife and her market basket on her arm, is the groceryman with his wagon or truck. If one is willing to lose a night’s sleep, it is a most interesting experience to see first hand how New York’s million or so dinner tables get their fresh vegetables. There are also very interesting fruit and fish markets, which one must also see at night or just at day break in the morning to find them at their best.
Push carts line the sidewalks; and as the streets are narrow, during the height of business in the day it is difficult for one to thread his way through the maze of carts, dogs and children, to say nothing of gesticulating grownups who are hunting bargains. In these street stands one can buy anything from a tin plate to parlor furniture, and from a shoe string to a formal evening gown. It is a mystery sometimes where everything goes at night, for after dark the streets are for the most part clear. "Eat as you go" is the popular procedure on Rivington Street, the menu provided being somewhat dependent on the season; for instance, during the summer months one finds corn on the cob, all kinds of fresh fruit, sandwiches, ice cream, and an endless variety of sausages, pickles and cakes. In the winter one may regale himself on baked sweet potato, roasted chestnuts, sauerkraut, and an endless variety of cheeses and sausages.
