Why New York Is A Hub In The Global Trinket Trade

For more on the junk economy, see this slideshow.

There’s a neighborhood in New York City that has always been a mystery to us. Smack dab in the middle of Manhattan, around 29th street, is the wholesale district. There you can find rows of narrow storefronts packed to the ceiling with trinkets. Racks and racks of fake gold chains. Acres of souvenir lighters and walls of belt buckles. Plastic, plastic, plastic toys.

It’s not surprising that these things exist. But why would you sell all this cheap junk from stores sitting on some of the most expensive real estate in the world?