Trouble on the Avenue

It's hard out there -- even if you're hustling.

By Mariel Waloff
Add Comment Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Apr. 23, 2009

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Ed Fountain can remember the days of hustle and bustle down on "The Avenue," the serpentine stretch of North Front Street, shadowed by the El in Kensington. “My mother used to bring us down here, I thought I was in Center City!” he says.

Fountain has spent much of the past ten years on the corner of Front and York streets, working for “The Price is Right,” a storefront business that spills its wares out onto the sidewalk and across the street. The four-pronged business sells an array of goods—a one-stop-shop where a customer could potentially buy AAA batteries, a soft pretzel and her Easter outfit in one go. These days, however, it’s hard to get rid of anything. Ed’s never seen such slow business along the avenue.

“Seems like the economy’s got everyone messed up," he says. "Some days are slow. Some days are extra slow.”

Listen to Ed's story by clicking on the video above.

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