The smell of fresh barbequed pork sausages and pumpkin ravioli is enough to waft anyone out of their Sunday morning slumber. The fresh produce and speciality food items make the Murray Hill Market an unforgettable shopping experience.
 |
| Entrance of the market |
While the Market, which is held on the playground of P.S. 116 Mary Lindley Murray School on East 32nd street is quite small – it holds appeal for the neighborhood’s residents.
The market is community oriented and supports P.S. 116, by donating a portion of the proceeds to the community’s public school.
Though the market is only held on Sundays, this does not stop the flood of people that line up awaiting the market’s 9 am opening. The market, is open until 5 pm, but does not start to get busy until around one, said Thomas Harris, a vendor.
Harris, works a pickles and olives stand at the market; a product of two stores located in New York and New Jersey. Harris’ stand has been at the market since it’s start three years ago.
Harris’ stand is quite popular and he has regular clientele. Though everyone has their favorite items, he says the most popular is the half sour pickles, they’re new and they are causing quite a commotion. Other items include the Kosher dill pickles, full sour pickles and the hot full sour pickles.
In addition to food and produce, the market also has vendors selling antique and vintage items. Johanna Fritsche and Angel Vantzin are friends who combine their tables to sell items including pins, jewelry, sunglasses, glass vases, books and candles. “Over the years you just shop and shop,” said Fritsche, “I saw the program ‘Hoarder’s’ and I thought, I gotta get rid of it.”
For Vantzin and Fritsche, the market is a way to meet people, not make money. “Sometimes you make money. Sometimes you can’t,” said Vantzin, “Meeting a lot of people… talking to a lot of people. We enjoy it.” Fritsche noted that while they love meeting people, a lot of market goers want to bargain down their prices, “They want everything, for nothing,” she laughed.
Having only been open for three years now, the market is still growing. It is small, but it needs the community’s help to become more established. Harris said of the market’s beginnings, “We were so hopeful. The neighborhood is so up and coming.” Harris wants the market to grow bigger, but still admires it’s small neighborhood feel.
Vince Libasci, a market goer, also wants the market to grow. “I really love that it’s not super busy. There are only a few vendors and, while they’re all very good – I would like to see it develop.”
However, according to Harris, developing the market is harder because of the youthful crowd that they are working amongst. Since Murray Hill is itself still up and coming, it’s hard to grow the little market.
Darcy Donnellan, a recent college graduate, shares the opinion of Libasci and Harris. Donnellan does not live in Murray Hill, but is in the area often. “I’m a vegan so I have to be able to buy fresh fruit and vegetables affordably,” she said, “they have great, affordable food, I just wish there was more of it.”
Also, Harris said, because the Murray Hill crowd is so young – it’s harder to grow a following. Harris blames this on the fact that young people wake up later, tend to be busier and are not necessarily as interested in a local market.
Currently, the market functions only outdoors – on the playground, but in past years, they have had vendors inside the school as well. While some vendors stick around in inclement weather, others just don’t show up. The tables get rented by the day, so missing a Sunday doesn’t mean losing out on the cost of the table. The price of the tables depends on the size and how long you’ve been involved in the market, but prices range from $20-$45.
Greg White, is one of the newest vendors involved with the market. White, is a chef who recently transitioned to sales. He cooks various pastas and then sells them to restaurants including the Trump Country Club in New Jersey. White has only been at the market for four weeks and enlists the help of his two children and their German exchange student.
White sells homemade ravioli, various pastas, jars of sauce and fresh cheeses at his stand. His pumpkin ravioli and mac ’n cheese ravioli are among his most popular. White also hopes for the market’s expansion. The family is trying to help their German exchange student earn her way to the Golden Gate Bridge.
White hopes for good business and more people to help her reach her goal of visiting California during her time in the United States.
The vendors and clientele both hope for the market’s enlargement.
Whitney Young, another market goer, admires the market’s community involvement. “I like that I am able to buy great food and know that my money is benefiting the local school,” she said, “it would be great to see the market flourish and be able to give back even more.”
