Dozens of unlicensed vendors have set up shop on the Brooklyn Bridge, leading to crowded conditions and complaints from licensed vendors who say they are being edged out of their livelihoods. On a recent Sunday, approximately 42 unlicensed vendors were observed selling souvenirs and food items on the bridge's pedestrian walkway.
Some of these vendors openly disregarded "no vending allowed" signs. Offerings included New York City-themed trinkets like magnets for $1 and hats for $5. One young vendor, who identified herself as selling mangos for her mother, was also observed selling bottled water for $1.
The proliferation of unlicensed vendors has frustrated licensed merchants, particularly disabled veterans who rely on their vending spots for income. Sammy, a 48-year-old licensed ice cream vendor and disabled veteran who has operated near City Hall for decades, stated that while unlicensed vendors reappeared around October 2025, the situation has become chaotic more recently.
"They're illegal vendors. They're there, and they're back," Sammy said. "They're causing chaos. They're costing the city money. Cops are chasing them."
Vending is prohibited on pedestrian walkways and bike lanes on New York City bridges and their approaches. According to licensed vendors, police issue tickets, but the fines, often between $20 and $50, are seen as insufficient to deter the illegal activity, given the potential profits.
The competition and crowded conditions have reportedly led to altercations. Sammy described sustaining scratches while attempting to break up a fight among mango sellers. "They're all fighting with each other. The illegal mango [sellers] are cutting each other up, scratching," he recounted.
In January 2024, the city implemented a rule prohibiting vending on bridge walkways and bike lanes, a measure intended to alleviate pedestrian congestion, particularly on the Brooklyn Bridge. However, licensed vendors argue that enforcement has been lacking.
Another licensed vendor, a 41-year-old disabled veteran and U.S. Marine Corps veteran who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, claimed that at times there are over 100 unlicensed vendors on the bridge. This vendor also stated that while licensed vendors face potential repercussions for vending, unlicensed individuals are often not removed. He expressed a desire for "equal enforcement."