Photo by Fay Wong

Last weekend, after nearly eighty years in operation, the Lower East Side’s Essex Street Market closed it doors.  However, the closure was short lived as the market reopened today following a press opening in a brand new space just across the street. The brand new marketplace at 115 Delancey Street is the cornerstone of Essex Crossing, a nine-site, 1.9 million square-foot redevelopment project. Operated as before by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the new Essex Street Market seeks to continue the traditions of valuing small business and serving as a resource for the community. The new space is larger and features exciting new additions.

Learn more about the new space with these ten fun facts:

1. The New Market is 3x the Size of the Original

The new Essex Street Market spans 37,000 square-foot and has room for thirty nine individual vendors making it roughly three times the size of the old market. With all this new space the brand new market will include features and community assets not available in the original market such as a large mezzanine level of public seating, for up to 200 people, with floor to ceiling windows.

The increase in space will also allow existing market vendors to expand their offerings. With more room, vendors can add new stock and equipment. One way vendors are taking advantage of this is to add prepared food selections to their offering of provisions.