The Sock Man Story
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I’ve been slinging socks on St. Marks since 1983—back when the block still smelled like punk sweat, clove smoke, and cheap leather. I started as a Bronx kid hustling seven days a week, selling socks off a street table until I scraped together enough to open my first shop at 27 St. Marks.
People came for the attitude as much as the inventory—floor‑to‑ceiling socks, tights, over‑the‑knees, weird stuff, loud stuff, stuff you didn’t know you needed until you saw it hanging in the window.
When the original spot closed in 2015, I didn’t die—I just moved down the block to 99 St. Marks and kept the flame lit.
Four decades later, I’m still here. Still independent. Still St. Marks. Still The Sock Man.
People came for the attitude as much as the inventory—floor‑to‑ceiling socks, tights, over‑the‑knees, weird stuff, loud stuff, stuff you didn’t know you needed until you saw it hanging in the window.
When the original spot closed in 2015, I didn’t die—I just moved down the block to 99 St. Marks and kept the flame lit.
Four decades later, I’m still here. Still independent. Still St. Marks. Still The Sock Man.
This YouTube vid is an interview with Marty Rosen from a few years back. Hear Marty talk about his (then) new location, tales from his origins hustling on Bronx streets, his 80s move to 27 St. Marks -- and that whole scene, as well as growing up catching rock shows.
The story continues. Visit The Sock Man. Learn from Marty. Keep the legend alive.
99 St. Marks Place, New York, NY
The story continues. Visit The Sock Man. Learn from Marty. Keep the legend alive.
99 St. Marks Place, New York, NY