Economic Development & Food Retail
East Harlem local retail is an important part of its cultural and neighborhood identity. Organizations focused on neighborhood economic development understand that by increasing the supply of goods and services that is demanded by the community, local retail can become even stronger than it is now, fulfilling consumer demand and creating new jobs and new opportunities for the residents of East Harlem.
- Hot Bread Kitchen – Hot Bread Kitchen is a non-profit bakery with a goal is to increase economic security for foreign-born and low-income women and men by opening access to the billion-dollar specialty food industry. In addition to operating a bread bakery staffed by immigrant women, HBK runs a culinary incubator for 25 tenants. By providing affordable space and technical assistance to their tenants, the HBK Incubator helps low-income and minority entrepreneurs grow their business. To help offset the cost of training and to build esteem in the contribution of immigrants, HBK sells multi-ethnic breads that are inspired by its bakers and the many countries that they come from. 1590 Park Ave, New York, NY 10029
- La Marqueta – Located in East Harlem, La Marqueta is a historic indoor food and retail marketplace under the elevated Metro North railway tracks between 111th Street and 116th Street on Park Avenue in East Harlem. In the 1950s and 1960s, over 500 vendors operated out of La Marqueta and it was an important social and economic venue for hispanic New York. In recent years the market has been the site of revitalization projects, largely anchored by Hot Bread Kitchen Incubates, a culinary incubator that offers kitchen space and access to professional equipment as well as business training and advice for new food ventures. 1607 Park Ave, New York, NY 10029
- New York City Economic Development Corporation – The New York City Economic Development Corporation helps create affordable housing, new parks, shopping areas, community centers, cultural centers, etc. Their mission is to encourage economic growth in each of the five boroughs of New York City by strengthening the City’s competitive position and facilitating investments that build capacity, generate prosperity and catalyze the economic vibrancy of City life as a whole. NYCEDC has been responsible for the creation and development of La Marqueta and has built affordable housing on 125th and 3rd Avenue and is currently working on the revitalization of 125th Street. 217 Luis Munoz Marin Blvd, New York, NY 10029
- East Harlem Business Capital Corporation (EHBCC) – EHBCC’s purpose is to improve the quantity and quality of economic and commercial activity in East Harlem by providing financial assistance, training and technical assistance to small businesses, merchants and entrepreneurs. We provide access to credit and sound business development assistance to expand existing businesses or to create new enterprises. EHBCC works to increase employment opportunities, promote real estate development and commercial services, and supports a nurturing business environment for East Harlem’s small business community. 2261 1st Ave, New York, NY 10035
- El Barrio Alliance – Is a non-profit economic development organization that has a mission to support the local economic development of the neighborhood of El Barrio (East Harlem), New York, by promoting the local merchants, attracting new businesses, and enhancing the local arts and culture scene. (Officially launching in 2013).
- East Harlem Chamber of Commerce – The East Harlem Chamber of Commerce advocates for East Harlem business owners. Its activities focus on business development and infrastructure improvements as a means of economic revitalization for the community as a whole.
- CIVITAS – CIVITAS is a union of citizens who live in East Harlem and the Upper East Side of the borough of Manhattan in New York City. The primary focus of CIVITAS is to seek urban planning and zoning that maintains affordable housing and the integrity of the neighborhood character on the Upper East Side and East Harlem. Over the years CIVITAS has worked formally and informally with municipal government, politicians, other neighborhood groups and associations, and consultants to produce information and recommendations that affect urban planning and zoning matters in the community. 1457 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128
- El Barrio’s Operation Fightback Inc. – El Barrio’s Operation Fightback is a not-for-profit community development corporation dedicated to preserving and strengthening families and more recent, immigrant groups of East Harlem through the provision of decent and affordable housing, human services and community economic development while working against the deterioration of housing, the displacement of families, and the declining availability of affordable housing in East Harlem. EBOFB has improved the economic development of the East Harlem community with the construction of commercial businesses within the various development projects, yielding professional and merchant services. 413 East 120th St, New York, NY 10035
- DDM Development & Services – Based in East Harlem, DDM serves clients as both a consultant and a turnkey developer. It has developed over $400 million in award winning housing and commercial properties. Working with community groups as sponsors, DDM has also created a new model of homeownership for working families in East Harlem, a first of its kind luxury assisted living for low income, seniors on Fifth Avenue, a 700-student middle and high school with a job-creating first floor business all funded by the NYC Board of Education and built and owned by a Harlem non–profit community organization, and over 1,000 units of housing for singles and families. 2080 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York, 10035, United States
- Lott Community Development Corp. – Lott CDC’s mission to help house New Yorkers in need. Its activities in Northern Manhattan have resulted in the development of 27 buildings offering almost 700 affordable rental apartments, from studios to three-bedrooms. Over the past twenty-five years, Lott has renovated and redeveloped twenty-two vacant and underutilized buildings to provide much-needed housing. In addition, Lott has built five new buildings, including three exclusively for the seniors. 421 East 116th St, New York, NY 10029
