Most tenement dwellings did not have refrigeration until the 1930s. In the summer time it was necessary to shop frequently since the food would not keep.

The lack of refrigeration and storage required that food be bought in small quantities which is always more expensive that buying in bulk hence increasing the cost of food.

The most common beverage was tea.

In addition to permanent shops, there were open air markets, and peddlers selling their wares from push cards.

The peddlers frequently were at the same location every day. Everything was sold off peddler's carts — food, bedding, toys, etc. Some carts were seasonal such as: Ice cream and lemonade in the summer — Hot potatoes and corn in the fall. Some types of produce were more readably available in one neighborhood versus another — clams were popular in Italian neighborhoods but not sold in Jewish neiborhoods.

Lower East Side Shopping 1904

While the women with their shawls pulled tight and the girl's blowing skirt indicate that the weather is at least chilly, no one is wearing an overcoat.

For more images of the streets and stores go to Lower Manhattan

For general information about and pictures of life in the tenements, click on the image of the laundry in the tenement yards.

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With only two exceptions, the Blanck/Land ancestors immigrated through New York City between 1849 and 1921. For pictures and information on immigration into New York City, click on the picture of immigrants in Castle Gardens in 1880

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