The Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar NYC is the oldest, largest, and most diverse weekly market in the city. But beyond all the food, clothes, and accessories, the Bazaar has a deeper mission: helping fund after-school programs for four local public schools.

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LENZ: If you’re native to the Upper West Side, chances are you’ve visited Grand Bazaar NYC. It’s a bustling market that happens every Sunday afternoon. And, there’s absolutely no limit to the kinds of vendors you can find there. 

LENZ: But, the Bazaar wasn’t always a Bazaar. It started as a yard sale to support local students, but it became so much more. I talked to Marc Seago, the Executive Director of the Grand Bazaar. 

Marc: “Since then it's been a regular Sunday market… themed events and more curated, more activities on site than a regular flea market”

LENZ: Seago says the Bazaar has become a staple for the community. And he also explained the market benefits both the students at the four schools and the Bazaar’s merchants. 

Marc: “I think just the different aspects- its community organized to benefit the schools, the 2000 children, keep NY creative and vibrant by supporting local… Providing the affordable retail space to help them grow their business.”

LENZ: I talked to Jessica and Monica Valenzuela of Little Boxes NYC, one of the vendors at the market who owns a bakery out of Brooklyn. They’ve been regulars at the Bazaar over the last year. And Two Sisters says the Bazaar provides patrons with another important component: shopping locally. 

Sisters: “It’s a reliable place for people to sell what they’re doing, but also peruse. Support small businesses! We’re two sisters, we really appreciate when people support our things, and so we want to support other small businesses too, and get the dreams going. This is a place to test products and ideas and to get people’s feedback.” 

LENZ: Lily is a regular shopper at the Bazaar. She brought her friends with her to explore and visit her favorite vendor. 

Lily: “There’s a Persian guy who sells rings, and we love rings. There’s a lot of diverse things, and when the weather’s nice, it’s perfect.” 

LENZ: And the weather was perfect, so the crowd was huge. Jeff Coltin, another regular at the Market, says part of the market’s success is its location. 

Jeff: “It's part of the Upper West Side, it's just a nice place to hang out on weekends, it's a nice, curated collection of sellers.”

LENZ: I asked a few Bazaar-goers if they knew about the proceeds benefiting four local schools. But the answer was a unanimous no. 

Christa: “I actually did not know where the money was going, but I think that just makes it even better… making a big difference to other people.”

LENZ: That was Christa, a first-timer at the Bazaar. She says she wishes more people knew about where the profits go. But, she also thinks the market is so popular because the variety appeals to so many different people. 

LENZ: But Seago says he thinks the market’s importance comes down to a few things.

Marc: “I think everybody likes an underdog, everybody likes original, and everybody enjoys also shopping local and supporting their local community” 

LENZ: And, the Bazaar always has themed events going on. From Halloween to Sweets to Vintage, there’s a little bit of something for everyone. 

LENZ: I’m Rosie Lenz, WFUV News.

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