The First Korean Fruit Stands

The Seventies saw the advent of that great NY institution - the Korean fruit and vegetable market. At the start of the decade, fresh produce was usually found at the supermarket - where "fresh" was a relative concept! There were a few fruit stands, often operated by Italian immigrants, but their selection was typically small, and catered mostly to the ethnic group to which the owner belonged.

The Koreans revolutionized the vegetable market industry. First, they brought in really fresh produce, often arriving at the Hunts Point Terminal before dawn to get it. And they provided a variety never before seen outside of gourmet stores. True entrepreneurs, they were always looking for new products and services to offer. The first such market in my neighborhood opened in 1975 and was an immediate hit. Around holidays the checkout line frequently went out the door and around the corner.

Of course, like any new immigrant group, the Koreans faced some problems. Many were incorrectly labeled as "Moonies" - members of Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church cult. This was complete nonsense. There were also some tense confrontations between store owners and the public. Raised according to the old Confucian manner, the new business owners were not into idle conversation the way Americans were - and their English was often not that good to begin with. This sometimes led to charges that they were rude. But with time the Korean market became part of our landscape.