August 18, 2023
Armed enforcement officers from the Department of Sanitation took down a fruit and vegetable stand yesterday on Broadway near West 231 Street. Passers-by stopped to watch as a canopy, tables, and produce were removed to a waiting garbage truck underneath the El. Some of them asked the operator, a man named Fatih, if he’d be back and he assured them he would return.
Thursday afternoon’s enforcement action.
Vincent Gragnani, the Press Secretary for Sanitation, told the Gazette:
“As part of the Adams Administration’s commitment to the health, safety, accessibility and cleanliness of our streets, the Department of Sanitation has been tasked with enforcing the rules around street vending.
“In this case, we had received complaints about this vendor from the local Community Board. This operator was vending without a license, and we had spoken with the operator prior to taking yesterday’s enforcement action.
“We encourage all vendors to visit nyc.gov/vendingenforcement for educational tips on vending compliance that are available in twelve languages, including English and Spanish.”
True to his word, Fatih was back again today and so were officers from Sanitation. Fatih shared some photos and confirmed to the Gazette he set up and was taken down again on Friday. He posted signs asking his customers to help “by signing the waiver” and vowing to “stay here, serve here, until they open space for me on the sidewalk.”
Here are the photos that Fatih sent on Friday afternoon:
Waiver
Fatih vows to stay.