3. Mayor LaGuardia Waged a “War on Pushcarts”

During the Great Depression, New York City experienced an unprecedented increase in pushcart peddling, as no other work was available and people were desperate to make ends meet. Many could not even afford the small permit fees, and so operated unlicensed pushcarts. In an effort to clear the streets of congestion, Mayor LaGuardia vowed to build a network of indoor public markets with affordable stalls for vendors. Between 1934-1941, Mayor LaGuardia closed over 40 pushcart markets citywide.