Staten Island’s Heritage Bazaar Glows in Stapleton

Stapleton’s Grand Bazaar NYC turned global last night, with Staten Island’s International Heritage Bazaar. Vendor Lena Carter sold pierogies as 400 shopped, a cultural mashup for NYC’s spring. It’s borough roots—free entry, crafts and eats, pure SI vibe. A kid nabbed a trinket; a pro slurped pho. ‘Staten mixes—this is it,’ Carter says, flipping dough. The stalls turned worldly.

The bazaar’s a hit—March 30’s plan, it tripled since last year, packing lots by 10 a.m. Carter’s a St. George cook; last night’s haul hit 200 sales—spices flew. A dance troupe stomped—crowds clapped; NYC grit glowed. Rain held—tents stayed dry. #SIHeritage trended; Brooklyn’s hungry.

Some griped—’Too loud,’ sniped a local, dodging drums. Trash piled—cans rolled; swept slow. A rival’s pitching a Tottenville fest, splitting stalls. Still, 500 stayed—culture ruled. Stapleton’s never tasted so wide.

Carter’s teasing a summer run, maybe a ferry tie-in if spring bites. ‘NYC’s world—this shows it,’ she says, boxing leftovers. The bazaar’s a Staten win—grit meets globe. It’s a heritage blast; catch the next. Bring a bag—flavors call.