A photo from the 1930s of a street scene in Harlem with a pawnbroker’s, a fruit and vegetable stand, and a grocery store.

The pawnbroker promotes that his business is “moth-free” and thus a safe location to pawn an article of clothing.

The grocery store has a number of brands that we would recognize today, even if the prices are quite different.

The fruit and vegetable stand has at least one customer peering in to look at what’s on offer – under the canvas shades (and burlap bags) to shield against the sun:

This otherwise quotidian scene has another component, a protest on the sidewalk against the fruit and vegetable stand:

The three men shown in the detail above look challengingly towards the photographer – perhaps wondering what is the purpose of the photographer as at least one of them protests the unfair labor practices of the fruit and vegetable stand’s owner.

Below is the street scene today. The Salvation Army dominates the block north of Harlem Hospital, with a speed camera and bus stop, and none of the vibrant street life depicted in the photo from the 1930s.

Holiday Concert

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It’s that time of year where we celebrate family, friends and holiday spirit.  After years of social distancing, we are finally coming back together to celebrate the season with our Annual Holiday Concert. 

Join us at East River Plaza on Saturday, December 17 at 11 am and 1 pm as we welcome the Sing Harlem Choir to fill the air with the sounds of the season.  Please share this invitation with your family, friends and neighbors.  The more the merrier! 

Looking forward to seeing you.

Happy Holidays!