This semester, Lauren, Shannon and I had the opportunity to explore Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and learn about this neighborhood. Before we set out to explore, we searched the neighborhood online to find specific areas within the neighborhood that we should make a point to see. One of those areas was 86^th Street, formerly known as Little Italy, but now known as a little “Chinatown.” Lining the sidewalks along 86^th Street are numerous fruit and vegetable markets. These marks are tightly packed next to one another, giving people a variety of produce to choose from. The prices of the produce found at each of the markets are generally the same, but you could observe patrons searching for a bargain. This caused me to wonder how any of these markets could prosper, considering their abundance and competitive prices.

Mixed in with these produce markets is Meat Supreme, which is regarded as Brooklyn’s gourmet market place. Meat Supreme has handmade pastas, sausage, sharp cheese, and many other Italian offerings from the “old country.” This gourmet market has been around nearly 30 years, which preceded the influx of Chinese immigrants. Meat Supreme represents some of the remaining Italian culture that can be found along 86^th Street, since most of the neighborhood has been overrun by the Chinese immigrants who migrated to Brooklyn in the 1990s.

In addition to the produce markets and Meat Supreme, there are nonfood markets as well. Vendors sell items such as bedding, rugs, bags, clothing, and housewares such as plates, pots and bowls. Additionally, there are novelties that you would normally find in a dollar store strung along canopies. This main shopping drag offers a variety of products that appeal to all shopping tastes.