Founded in 1940, Essex Street Market is one of the last remaining original food halls in New York City (first commissioned by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia), and an integral part of the Lower East Side. With its pending move to Essex Crossing next year, the market is cementing its place as a cultural mainstay within the fabric of the neighborhood – past, present and future. The event, which focused on promoting the market and the shops within, attracted members of the community, who enjoyed a tour of the market and samples of the fare available at its various shops, as well as live music courtesy of Jon Freeman—who also works Top Hops to Go, one of the market’s stalls.