No need for masks and a full scale military attack - these are humans who are trying to make a living - yes some might be illegal and have a crime sheet but most of the others seem the only crime is they are illegal. — Biscuit on Nine arrested after ICE raids counterfeit vendors

I believe it is not illegal to buy counterfeit goods in USA, unlike in much or Europe. It should be, though. — Marcus on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

From Steve Cuozzo in today’s NY Post: https://nypost.com/2025/10/26/opinion/canal-street-ice-raids-werent-pretty-but-something-must-be-done-to-clean-up-a-promising-nyc-block/ — Reademan on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

It is illegal to buy counterfeit goods, but authorities have to be able to PROVE that the buyers knew they were fake. — Tribeca Citizen on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

The question that I sent to the Soho Broadway Inititiative prior to the ICE intervention on Canal Street: Are we okay with Illicit trade that can finance terrorism and organised crime and potentially provide an invitation for Federal intervention? The question for the representatives of the NYPD, Why are you standing by when there is openly criminal activity that can fund terrorism and organised crime? As an example, some of the funds for the Charlie Hebdo attack where terrorists murdered 12 individuals was provided by selling counterfeit Nike sneakers on the streets of Paris. Are you willing to wait until after there is another terrorist attack or will you come to your senses and protect New Yorkers from individuals openly funding criminal activity and possibly terrorism. The other more pressing fear that I have is if you are openly allowing criminal activity on a major street in NYC, are you encouraging the federal government to intervene. President Trump has proclaimed that the crackdown on crime has become a "passion for him." and that "We're going to save all of our cities and we're going to make them essentially crime-free," — Larry on Nine arrested after ICE raids counterfeit vendors

Reademan - no need to be insulting. A bit of respect for differences of opinion could go a long way. I did complain about noisy bars and restaurants. I did not advocate calling ICE to raid the premises. — Heide Fasnacht on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

They were caught selling counterfeit goods. They are in the country illegally. They will get an immigration hearing and then hopefully will be deported. Weren’t you the one complaining about one of our legal restaurant businesses blocking your street and crying like a baby about it? — Reademan on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

The data is compelling in those cities and I look forward to seeing it for NYC where the streets are narrow and the pedestrians are everywhere. The AVs may be predictable and careful, but the humans on the mean streets of New York are often anything but. I'm curious to see what that data will say. — Christy on Waymo self-driving car tests the Tribeca streets

This quote: No one here is talking about the demand for these goods. There are more tourists and more individuals buying every time we look at this. That is really what is driving this behavior. Do the buyers get the same citations as the vendors? Can they be arrested? Do that regularly and it might not become such a hot spot for the tourists. — Christy on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

Let's hope this is not true, this is a real neighborhood bar and restaurant with great outdoor life. What't the point of moving into a neighborhood to close all the restaurants and bars that are presumably one of the reason you move there. Why do that ? are there any planning protections ? — Will on The Smith & Mills and Yves building has sold

Illegally in the country, selling illegal goods without a license. Yet, we can’t arrest them. Why even have laws? As always, those of us who work hard, play by the rules and try to make our communities better are sidelined in favor of criminals. Christopher Marte is not voting to protect us, his constituents — he is playing the progressive long game. Expect him to run for Glick’s state seat next. I would love to see a local Chinatown business leader who has had enough take him on. They would have the votes. Enough is enough. Vote anyone but Marte. — Downtown Dad on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

There is repetitive, duplicative examples and proof of progressive democratic NYC council and other layers of govt. that they could care less about the QOL of tax paying citizens and care more so for criminals and illegal immigrants. Nov 4th is right around the corner, 2026 voting not that far away. instead of moaning about it, the community should make its voice heard at the voting stations. continuously voting for the same ideology will just make us all repeat these comments next time around. — S on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

Because it's practical, and lessens the burden on the general public. — mulciber on ICE agents raid street vendors on Canal and Lafayette

Once again: It is not about the immigrants. It is about the Rule of Law. We still have Habeus Corpus in the US (for now at least). Only 2-3% of deported illegal immigrants have rap sheets. Further: Canal Street is a pretext to send ICE and National Guard troops to NYC. Do not be surprised if it spreads. — Heide Fasnacht on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

Well said F……… Look at what happened in Doral , Florida. Everyone voted in favor of deportation UNTIL they came for their friends, neighbors, relatives in the middle of the night at their homes , at schools & churches. Then they no longer were in favor! Then they opposed this dictator.This people is just the beginning. Buckle down, we’re in for severe turbulence that can destroy what you and I consider free speech/democracy. Ask yourself: Will you trade in democracy in order to get rid of street vendors? — Francesco on ICE agents raid street vendors on Canal and Lafayette

Summary: We pretend to enforce the law. The system is truly broken, an admitted "revolving door". Obviously the penalties are not severe enough to deter the problem. So perhaps the fines for illicit vending need to be MUCH higher. — Marcus on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

Completely agree! — Christina on The Smith & Mills and Yves building has sold

I don't like that ICE is the organization doing this, but how many decades of flagrant criminality are going to be tolerated before something finally has to be done? I have never seen anyone make a cogent argument for how the illegal vendor markets add anything positive to the city. It does nothing but destroy the quality of life for the neighborhood, harm small businesses, and act as a portal for more serious crimes like drug smuggling and human trafficking. David Frum had a great quote in 2019 on a similar issue: "If liberal won't enforce borders, Americans will elect fascists who will." At some point, the rhetoric defending this nonsense becomes so tiresome that a para-military organization ordered by Trump is preferable over the ineffectual Democrats who do nothing. — James S on Nine arrested after ICE raids counterfeit vendors

Chris Marte left halfway through the meeting (his designee provided the response noted above). Marte has demonstrated over and over again that he would much rather fight for the protection of these illegal vendors than fight for the residents. Keep reporting to federal authorities - you can submit the online tip form at ICE.gov or you can call the number provided. — SoHo on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

Great logic. Destroy the quality of life for citizens in a limp-wristed effort to stick it to Trump. This is the kind of reasoning that loses a party all three branches of the federal government. Let's get real. If you immigrate to another country and immediately start committing crimes, you shouldn't be allowed to stay there. No one would make this argument in defense of Americans breaking the law if they moved to Asia or Africa, so no clue why it's defended when immigrants do that in the U.S. — James S on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

https://www.nber.org/papers/w34033 National Bureau of Economic Research estimates that moving California's minimum wage for fast food chain stores to $20 reduced jobs in the industry by 2.7%-3.2% or around 18,000 jobs. — Thomas Hagen on Duane Park Patisserie is back open

Reposted - because the answer given above by Marte's guy is not true. The City Council did not want the illegal alien vendors to get charged criminally and then be flagged and deported as a result. From the City Council’s own website: “There are severe collateral consequences of a criminal record on people’s […] immigration status. […] ” ‘Today was a decisive victory for immigrants in NYC,’ said Council Member Shekar Krishnan. ‘As a Council, we voted to override the Mayor’s veto of my bill, Intro 47-B, which protects vendors from jail time and possible immigration consequences. The City Council will protect immigrants from intimidation and fear, from the horrifying conditions of 26 Federal Plaza, and from Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda. As Trump beefs up ICE and deploys the National Guard to our cities, we will stand up for our communities. We will ensure that safeguards are in place so that even if this Mayor, who is beholden to the President, tries to undo them, we stand strong. I’m thankful for Speaker Adams’ leadership and to the City Council for proving to New Yorkers that we are the leaders they deserve at this moment.’ ” No truer words were spoken. That is who your City Council represents. Source: https://council.nyc.gov/press/2025/09/10/2973/ — James Bogardus on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

To summarize, we are toothless, we have no power or resources, and we have no interest in solving this. Keep calling ICE, it is our only hope. — Reademan on Illegal vending on Canal Street: “It’s a constant churn.”

Remember, the true minimum wage is zero -- if the business closes or lays off workers because it can't sustain the increased labor costs, then those workers don't earn anything. Around the time the NYC minimum wage increased to $15, Whole Foods stopped having express cashiers on a regular basis and instead vastly expanded the number of self-service registers. If workers can't produce $30/hr+ in revenues to the business, then that wage is unsustainable. Such a high minimum wage hits hardest on entry level workers, students who need part-time employment and otherwise unskilled workers and opens up incentives to hire under the table and thus leads to more worker exploitation. — N on Duane Park Patisserie is back open

Let's hope that nothing that drastic is built on this site. It would be very out of character for Tribeca (of course, so is the "Jenga" building!). Sliver buildings, usually the supertall ones, can have structural problems that make owners sorry that they bought the sales pitch (see the recent NYT article about 432 Park Avenue). Maybe "only" 45 stories would be a blessing, albeit a potential eyesore and view blocker. Where would the owners park? I hope that this project, if it moves forward, doesn't give us another partially-built wreck like 45 Park Place. — Gary on Deco building on Broadway and Chambers is for sale