Customer at the sock stand on Astor Place (Photo: Daniel Hoffman)
We were bereaved last month when The Sock Man’s awning came down for good after 33 years on St. Marks Place. But what’s this? This morning we spotted a new sock man selling $2 tube socks, beanies and chullos on Astor Place, a block away from the old Sock Man’s location. Totally tubular! With spring just around the corner, it might be his time to shine.
Fingering a bundle of one-dollar bills, Alex told us he’s been “on and off” in the neighborhood for the past 20 years. He turned out to be every bit as press-shy as the old sock man. Asked how business was doing, Alex grumpily answered, “Whaddaya think? I make nothing. $80 a day. I’m just selling $2 socks, man.”