A Fresh-Food Market, Art Gallery, and More–In Your Backyard!

I have the good fortune of living close enough to Baruch to make a 20-minute walk each morning and afternoon to and from my classes. Coming from just 15 blocks south of Baruch, I pass by an array of New York University buildings, internationally known eateries, a Whole Foods Market, the New York Film Academy, some churches, and Union Square and its accompanying park. Surrounded by hustling New Yorkers, skaters and bikers, and numerous retail locations, Union Square exists as home to many local and privately owned food markets, undiscovered artists, and a verdant and tranquil park. Like an oasis hidden within a desert, Union Square and its long-standing fresh food markets remain tucked behind large buildings, bars and clubs, bookstores, churches, shoe stores, subway stops, and much more.

The east and west boundaries, as well as Union Square’s rounded southern boundary can be seen covered with open booths, white tents, and other makeshift sales locations every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. While some booths strictly offer fresh meat from an assortment of animals, other markets carry fresh produce-apples, squashes, onions, to name a few-and some merchants peddle home-crafted artwork, t-shirts, and glassware. Those who shop at the markets in Union Square often leave with pounds of organically grown nuts, freshly baked breads, unique variations of cheese from New York farms, and more.

I visited some of the different stands and was greeted by welcoming, smiling salespeople and experienced Union Square market shoppers. At my fist stop, Migliorelli Farms, I met Bertha Palaguachi, a cashier at the booth. Bertha told me that Migliorelli’s has been coming to Union Square to sell apples and fresh produce for 10 years now “in every weather condition. If it rains or snows, we’re still here.” Bertha said, “Although the winter can be slow, summers are crazy, especially on the weekends!” Having many returning customers, people who have been munching their apples for years, Bertha told me she recognizes lots of faces and Migliorelli’s definitely appreciates the repeat business. I spoke with one such repeat shopper, Bruce Kirschner of Chelsea, Manhattan, who told me he visits the markets often. Bruce said, “the food is always fresh and I really enjoy helping out local farmers. And the apples are so good!”

Migliorelli’s Farm – 14th between University and Broadway – Union Square – Photo by Robert Gordon 2009

Just a couple steps across the park, Martin’s Pretzels has a stand where they sell handmade pretzels. Three men worked behind Martin’s Pretzel’s small and humble wooden booth, smiling ear to ear as I approached them to find out about their business. Alfred, one of the part owners, was happy to give me some of his time and tell me about his experiences with running a privately owned food stand in the middle of New York City. My first question to Alfred was “you’re right across the street from Whole Foods Market [a national chain organic supermarket], how does that affect your operating a relatively minute booth in the square?” Alfred was visibly excited to tell me that “even though many of the farmers were nervous when Whole Foods was opening, it has turned out to be great for the markets. Some people think that when you have a shoe store and then another opens, and then another, there will be too much competition, except what actually happens is that people go to [the area with all of the shoe stores] and shop at all of them. It becomes a destination. The same is true for Union Square. When Whole Foods opened, this area became a ‘food destination’ bringing lots of business to us outside as well as Whole Foods.” In the 3-5 minutes that we spoke, I watched as person after person would migrate to Martin’s Pretzels, smile at the familiar face behind the counter, and walked away with a 2, 3, 4, or 5 pound bag a handmade hard pretzels. I spoke with Ellen Crowley of Manhattan immediately after she purchased a bad of pretzels. As she chomped on a pretzel she was given “for the road” by Alfred she said, “I come to the Union Square markets all the time. The food is so fresh and it tastes really good. Everything is also reasonably priced. I also find lots of interesting vendors when I come here to buy things I’ve had before.”

Martin's Pretzels - Union Square - Photo by Robert Gordon 2009

After my interviews, I walked around the park, snapped some photos of the assorted makeshift storefronts, and observed huge flocks of people moving around the outdoor market-tasting samples, saying hello to market acquaintances, and making their necessary purchases. Although I walk past and through Union Square at least twice a day, I suppose I never realized how many other people travel to and through this location for a much more specific purpose. To me, Union Square serves as attractive scenery on a relatively boring walk to and from school-to far more people, the square serves as place to discover artists, taste or take home the freshest of fresh produce, and to support local farmers and merchants.

The Union Square Market from another angle - Photo by Robert Gordon 2009