January 27-February 2, 2005

cityspace

100 West Gurney Street

GARAGE SALE: Though a recent cold spell put a freeze on the action, this North Philadelphia strip doubles as a vibrant trading post where bartering is not out of the question. Photo By: Michael T. Regan

Commerce returns to its roots in North Philly.

by Morris Bracy IV

On the 100 block of West Gurney Street, in the heart of the city's Latino community, trade returns to its communal roots. Out of the remaining industrial storage garages of bygone industry, men, women and families sell their secondhand wares. They work weekdays and Saturdays from about 10 a.m. until a little before sunset, when the garages, which do not have electricity, become too dark to operate in. Prices are negotiable. A used love seat in good condition goes for $25 but could be argued down to $20. A refrigerator goes for $100, but if you're a mother struggling to get by, you could get it for $70.

And pay when you can, because you probably live on Hope Street or Howard or Mascher or some other street that bisects Gurney. The shopkeepers already know where you and your family live. Besides, they're struggling to get by, too.

In the three-dozen garages along the block, there are enough appliances and furniture pieces to fill a house 20 times over. Everything from sofas and washer/dryer sets to baby chairs, teddy bears and bikes are available. While the recent inclement weather has put a damper on the scene, it's essentially a year-round market.

Rewind to August. It's a humid day, around noon. The neighborhood kids popped the fire hydrant open, turning the tail end of Howard Street into a makeshift water park. Across the way, the shopkeepers of Gurney seem more engaged in politicking than sales. They stand in circles, joking and watching the kids do their thing.

Most of the older folks speak only Spanish fluently. And those who can speak English are reluctant to talk to outsiders who snoop around. Even though, according to the Department of Licensing and Inspections, the block is licensed for retail, there is an air of suspicion toward the overly curious. It turns out, though, that the locals don't have reason to be paranoid.

Capt. Frank Bachmeyer of the 25th Precinct describes the block as "generally peaceful."

"I've been here since 1997 as a lieutenant," he says. "It's been here as long as I have and we've never had any complaints the whole time. I don't have any problems with the Gurney Street operation."

Jose Arroyo came to Philly from Puerto Rico seven months ago to live with his mom and had been working in the garages for about six months. Right now, he's watching a garage for a friend who returned home to visit family. When asked where they get most of their merchandise, he responds, "People bringing it. People leave here [for Puerto Rico] and have to sell everything."

On average, he sells one or two items a day.

Now it's January, just after New Year's, and business is slow on Gurney. With most businesses, Christmastime is a boon time. But here, Christmas is the time when parents prefer to go to retail chains and buy name-brand toys for their children.

The sky is gray and dreary, and Polo, 67, works in the only open garage on a recent afternoon. His green garage stands out in stark contrast to the row of brown ones. While it's unseasonably warm by Philly standards, it's too cold for Polo's taste. He's a native of Puerto Rico who left his eight children, 15 grandchildren and job as a farmer two years ago to come to Philadelphia alone. Although he thinks it's better on the mainland, he's not a big fan of the temperate climate. In Spanish, he sings the praises of the perpetual garage sale.

"We're selling to people who may not be able to afford it from someone else," he says. "I tell a lady to pick up the washer and when she has the money to come and bring it. It doesn't matter what color you are or where you're from. And it basically works out well."