Want to try traditional cuisine from over 40 countries in one place? Come to the Bronx and visit the famous open-air Night Market. We’ll tell you how it appeared, disappeared, and was reborn in this article on bronxski.com.
Founding the Night Market
The Bronx Night Market was first held in 2017. The brainchild and driving force behind it was Marco Shalma, founder and owner of Marco Hospitality Group. Marco had always been fascinated by the international and diverse nature of the Bronx. It has a unique demographic landscape unmatched by any other New York borough. Of course, this came about due to challenging circumstances—multi-wave immigration and the forced relocation of minorities to poor, less prestigious neighborhoods, which are plentiful in the Bronx compared to the more reputable Manhattan or Brooklyn.
But every cloud has a silver lining. The advantage of having so many different nationalities and races in the Bronx was the creation of a unique, multifaceted culture—a vibrant kaleidoscope of customs and traditions. This was most clearly reflected in the culinary sector. Authentic shops and restaurants were opening everywhere, the “Little Italy” on Arthur Avenue grew in popularity, and large supermarkets started dedicating separate sections to products from specific countries.
So, Marco Shalma thought it would be interesting to create one large venue where people could immerse themselves in this entire multinational culinary world. However, a permanent space of such a large scale would require significant investment and expenses. So, Marco suggested an impromptu, temporary format in the form of a market where producers and vendors of various dishes and products could offer their goods to residents and visitors at a specific time.
Relevant negotiations were held, and permission was granted by local authorities. Fordham Plaza was chosen as the venue for the event—an ideal location that was easy to get to from various parts of the Bronx. Markets are usually an early morning affair, but Marco wanted people to see this as more than just a shopping trip. He wanted it to be a fun outing where they could eat great food and buy something interesting to take home. So, he suggested creating the Bronx Night Market—a more evening-oriented format focused on leisure and entertainment.
The Night Market is open from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and runs every Saturday from April through the end of November.
The main goal of this project isn’t just to introduce consumers to a diverse range of food, but first and foremost to support small businesses that don’t have it easy in the Bronx. The primary focus is on the most underserved and vulnerable categories of entrepreneurs. 70% of vendors are micro, small, immigrant, LGBTQIA+, and women-owned businesses.
When people first arrive at the Bronx Night Market, they often think it’s some kind of festival. In addition to food and product stalls, there’s always music, interesting contests, entertainment, prize drawings, and even cooking competitions.
The Critical Moment: The Market’s Closure in 2023
In early 2024, Bronx residents were waiting for an announcement that the traditional Night Market would resume in the spring. But that didn’t happen. Instead, Marco Shalma broke some shocking news, announcing the closure of the Bronx Night Market. It was a difficult decision, as Marco knew the news would be received with sadness by both entrepreneurs and residents, for whom the Night Market had become a beloved tradition. So, what happened?
First, one of the main reasons was a lack of sufficient sponsors and local support, as well as disputes with the administration of Fordham Plaza, where the market had operated since it opened. Shalma didn’t go into details, but it was clear that the Bronx Night Market was facing certain financial difficulties.
Second, the 2023 season showed that since the pandemic, the condition of the plaza had significantly deteriorated and was in need of reconstruction. This included broken benches, missing trash cans, graffiti-covered walls, and cracked asphalt, among other issues. Shalma emphasized that in order to hold the Bronx Night Market to a decent standard, they would have to reconsider either the venue or the conditions at Fordham Plaza.
The third reason for the Night Market’s closure, as stated by Marco, was an increased level of danger noted at the 2023 Bronx Night Market. There had previously been cases of heated disputes between vendors and customers, altercations, and petty theft. But the situation began to get out of control. Given that the market’s format is largely impromptu—with no official permits or licenses to trade at that specific location—it’s difficult to ensure the safety of the vendors. Hiring security could solve the problem, but that again brings us back to financial difficulties.
Following an analysis of the Bronx Night Market in 2023, Marco Shalma made the decision to close the project. But he didn’t consider that for Bronx residents, it was already more than just a project. After his speech and the announcement of the Night Market’s closure, Shalma received over 10,000 comments and messages from people begging him not to do it. Marco hadn’t expected such a passionate and emotional response: “It really touched me, my partner, and my team. I had no idea it was so important to people.”
A Second Chance and Government Support
Throughout 2024, letters continued to pour in, asking to revive the Bronx Night Market. So, Marco Shalma decided to try to make it happen. He held several meetings with elected officials and city organizations. The main item on the agenda was how to increase market safety for vendors and visitors. Shalma noted that they worked with the Borough President, Council Members, the Community Board, and other agencies to find ways to bring the market back to the community, ensuring a sense of safety and supporting the growth of local businesses.
Following a year of work, Marco Shalma made another announcement, and this time, it delighted Bronx residents. The Bronx Night Market is back. On April 6, 2025, Fordham Plaza will once again be filled with vibrant stalls, delicious food, and international treats.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and City Council Member Oswald Feliz are personally overseeing the Bronx Night Market because they understand it’s a fundamentally important issue for the community. Gibson remarked: “We want to talk about something positive: young people, talent, great food, Caribbean cuisine, Yemeni cuisine, and Bangladeshi cuisine—all the great things the Bronx is known for. That’s what you’ll see at the Bronx Night Market. It adds so much life to this community: good food, good music, good people, creating an environment that residents deserve.”
A New Format and Unchanging Traditions
The Bronx Night Market has indeed become an important event for the local community and the borough’s gastronomic culture. Its return in April 2025, with a new format that involves weekly events, promises even more opportunities for visitors to enjoy diverse dishes and support local entrepreneurs. Previously, the Bronx Night Market was only held on the last Saturdays of the month from April to November; now, it will be open every Saturday during those same months.
The number of stalls has also changed. Previously, the market had 50 vendors. They would rotate, as the Bronx Night Market database had over 120 registered participants. Starting in 2025, only 30 vendors will be present each Saturday. But thanks to the weekly format, they will rotate more frequently. The organizers hope this will make the space more open, more comfortable, and safer.
As always, the market will feature live musical performances and entertainment for families.
