Essex Market

Serving the Lower East Side Since 1940

Now a neighborhood staple, Essex Street Market was first opened to bring street vendors indoors, reducing street congestion and offering a centralized location for shoppers. In its early years, the Market’s main merchants and customers were Jewish and Italian immigrants living in the Lower East Side.

Over time, the population changed, with a growing Puerto Rican population moving to the area in the ‘50s. As the neighborhood evolved, so did the Market—absorbing and reflecting the various cultural influences of the residents, and establishing it as a local favorite for a diverse array of cuisine and goods.

In the 1970’s and 80’s, the Market struggled to keep up with the rise of supermarkets and other shopping options. Then, in 1992, NYCEDC stepped in with a renewed hope for the Market, undergoing a $1.5M renovation—saving the Market from closure, and ushering in a new era of growth.

Evolving with the Times

Today, the market has been relocated into a brand new state-of-the-art space within the Essex Crossing development, part of the NYC Public Markets network. In May 2019, tenants moved into a brand new space with updated amenities and fixtures, equipping them to better serve their customers and visitors alike. Local residents can continue to browse a broad collection of local and international goods, including organic meats, fish, delicious pastries, artisan breads and cheeses, and fresh produce that represent the diversity of the Lower East Side. With space for over 200 people, customers can also sit and enjoy a meal or cultural event in the public mezzanine space. Over time customers have developed genuine relationships with their merchants who have offer generations of families personalized service, and we are excited to see it continue in the new Essex Market.

Visit our many incredible merchants, and experience the Market’s cultural traditions, products, and community for yourself.

Meat, Poultry, & Seafood

• Luis Meat Market
• New Star Fish Market
• Nordic Preserves, Fish, & Wildlife Company
• Essex Shambles

Gourmet Foods

• Davidovich Bakery
• Formaggio Essex
• Ni Japanese Delicacies
• Pain D’Avignon
• Essex Olive & Spice
• Josephine’s Feast
• Riverdel Cheese

Produce & Groceries

• Essex Farm Fruits and Vegetables
• Essex Farm Grocery
• Luna Brothers Fruit Plaza
• Viva Fruits & Vegetables
• Valley Shepard Creamery
• Eateries
• Shopsin’s General Store
• Puebla Mexican Food
• Eat Gai
• Zerza Moroccan Kitchen
• Peasant Stock
• Dominican Cravings
• Sugar Sweet Sunshine
• LES Ice Cream Factory
• Samesa
• Arancini Bros
• Don Ceviche
• Mille Nonne
• Heros & Villains
• Dhamaka

Beverages

• Porto Rico Importing Co.
• Top Hops Beer Shop

Culture

• Cuchifritos Art Gallery
• Demonstration Kitchen Classes

Additional Offerings

• Aminova’s Barber Shop
• The Pushcart
• Flower Power
• Saffron