Street Vendors In 'Food Fight' For Prime Real Estate

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Street vendors are in a massive food fight for the area outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, CBS 2 reported.

The area is considered to be one of the most sought-after pieces of real estate for vendors. But construction on the plaza has created limited space, leading to "squabbling" among the vendors who have been camping out to keep their spots.

CBS 2 reported there have also been claims of harassment by the police and health departments.

Listen to Street Vendors In 'Food Fight' For Prime Real Estate

"You can go to the parks, they don't bother you like this. It's just because you're on 5th Avenue and 82nd Street, that's the real reason," street vendor Paul Alba told CBS 2.

But another street vendor, Dan Rossi, told CBS 2 he feels the vendors camping out for a spot are not legitimate.

"These are vagrants. When they come out here and camp out, 15 men sleeping in a huddle, that's vagrancy," he said.

The issue is expected to last through September when construction on the plaza is completed.

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