La Marqueta
| Company type | Marketplace |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1936 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | East Harlem, Manhattan, New York City |
| Products | Food items, traditional remedies, Latin music recordings, materials for charms and spells |
Markets in New York City
La Marqueta is a marketplace situated beneath the Metro-North Railroad's Park Avenue Viaduct, spanning the area between 111th and 116th Streets along Park Avenue in the East Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Its formal address is 1590 Park Avenue. During its peak period in the 1950s and 1960s, La Marqueta hosted more than 500 vendors,[1] serving as a vital cultural and economic hub for Hispanic communities in New York. The New York Times referred to it as "the most visible symbol of [the] neighborhood." However, its scale has significantly diminished since then.[1]
Initially, the market began as an informal assembly of pushcart sellers and various merchants, but it gained official recognition in 1936,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name with stall rentals managed by the city government. Historically, shoppers could find a variety of goods including food items, traditional remedies, Latin music recordings, and materials for charms and spells.[1] Following extensive urban renewal that displaced numerous small businesses, replacing them with large residential developments, La Marqueta became a central gathering spot for the community. Presently, out of the original five buildings comprising the market, three have been destroyed by fire or demolition, and one remains closed. As of May 2008, only four vendors operated within the sole remaining building,[1] although this number grew to ten by early 2011.[2]
Efforts by the City of New York to rejuvenate La Marqueta have been ongoing but have yet to establish a sustainable business model that satisfies both residents and political stakeholders.[1] The Harlem Community Development Corporation, a state-run organization focused on economic growth, has introduced a concept known as La Marqueta Mile.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name This initiative received endorsement from the Center for an Urban Future in 2010.[3]
In 2009, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) together with the New York City Council solicited proposals to manage and operate a 3,000-square-foot commercial kitchen incubator within La Marqueta. By early 2011, HBK Incubates—a culinary business incubator operated by Hot Bread Kitchen—commenced operations in a refurbished section of La Marqueta,Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name renovated through an investment of $1.5 million provided by the New York City Council.[2]