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Selling souvenirs of tragedy at Ground Zero

By Chuck Bennett | amNewYork Staff Writer

September 8, 2006

It's been business as usual for sellers of World Trade Center-related tchotchkes -- ranging from paper weights to picture books -- despite the best efforts of authorities to clear them from Ground Zero.

"We don't think it is the right thing to sell souvenirs on the site adjacent to where so many people were killed. We don't think people should be profiteering," said Steve Coleman, spokesman for the Port Authority, owner of the World Trade Center site. "Our officers are down there trying to be as vigilant as they can." It has been more than two years, however, since police did any kind of high-profile raids against the vendors.

It is against state law to sell souvenirs in front of Ground Zero. Peddlers caught along Church or Liberty streets directly in front of the site risk a $150 fine from Port Authority cops.

But peddlers who set up tables across the streets on city sidewalks are in compliance with the law and have little to fear.

Vendors themselves, some of whom are Vietnam vets and others recent immigrants who claim they used to work in the Twin Towers, say they are just trying to make an honest buck.

One peddler, Manuel, 24, who asked that his last name not be used, said he can make about $70 a day selling World Trade Center post card packs and a 9/11 picture book called "Tragedy" just by walking along Church Street, the main viewing area for Ground Zero.

That's about what he earned working in a cafe located in the basement of the South Tower before the attacks, he said.

"There are no pictures of people jumping out of buildings," he said, but added people sometimes berate him nonetheless. "I just say have a nice day. What can I do? Fight with them?" he said.

Street peddler Nestor Martinez, who operates a souvenir stand on Liberty Street, says about once a week he visits a wholesaler along West 28th Street in the Garment District. He fills a van with World Trade Center souvenirs: Paper weights, crystals, pen sets, hats, post cards, mass-produced paintings, picture books and the like.

"They don't want us to sell police and fire department caps anymore, so we took them off the table, we don't want any problems," said Martinez, 63, a Vietnam vet.

He said crystal paper weights depicting the World Trade Center are a popular item -- mostly with tourists.

There are always plenty of buyers, Martinez said, especially during the weeks leading up to 9/11 anniversaries.

"It's a keepsake, a memento of that day," said California tourist John Klarin, 71, who recently purchased two "Tragedy" books for $10.

If Pearl Harbor, where visitors can purchase key chains, caps, picture books, action figures and similar memorabilia, is any indication, the World Trade Center souvenirs are here to stay.

And starting Sept. 18, when the Tribute WTC Visitors Center opens to the public, people will be able to buy official souvenirs, such as $15 baseball caps with the center's logo of two squares representing the footprints of the Twin Towers. Those proceeds will benefit the center.