A distinguished black photojournalist from Chicago who collaborates with Duneier, capturing the essence and dynamics of the sidewalk and its people through his photography.

A 42-year-old black book vendor with a background in publishing who acts as an intellectual guide on the street. His relationship with Duneier is central to the book's exploration of the sidewalk community.

A Filipina book vendor and the sole female merchant on Sixth Avenue, navigating the challenges of being a business owner and caring for her granddaughter in this public setting.

A Muslim book vendor dealing with the challenges posed by new sidewalk laws that impact the informal rules of the vending community.

A 22-year-old Vitamin Shoppe clerk who engages with Hakim for guidance and advice, highlighting the significance of mentorship in his life.

A magazine vendor who works closely with his business partner, Ron, demonstrating loyalty and resilience in the face of Ron's struggles with substance abuse.

An alcoholic magazine vendor who works with Marvin and strives to manage his addiction while maintaining his role in the sidewalk community.

Ron's great-aunt, who provides him with occasional shelter and support, fostering his attempts to sober up.

An unhoused alcoholic carpenter who assists vendors while maintaining family ties, despite making unsolicited, flirtatious remarks to female passersby.

Mudrick’s three-year-old granddaughter, who is a significant presence in his life and regularly visits him at work.

An unhoused magazine vendor known for his politeness and deference to authorities, with a past involving jail time.

A mover who assists street vendors like Hakim and Marvin by transporting their tables and merchandise.

A once-panhandler who climbed the ranks to become a magazine salesman, illustrating the upward mobility possible in the sidewalk economy.

A former panhandler who now sells magazines, showing the transition from panhandling to vending on Sixth Avenue.

A 40-year-old panhandler who has served prison time, finding dignity in his work while illustrating tensions between race, class, and gender.

A heroin-addicted scavenger who sells found items on the sidewalk despite local regulations, also participating as a panhandler.

A crack cocaine-addicted panhandler with a criminal record who shares his vending space with Joe Garbage.

A panhandler residing in the subway who stores vendor tables for a fee, being one of the "men without accounts."

An Indian newsstand attendant who relies on nearby businesses for restroom access, facing different challenges than the black vendors.

A black police officer engaging in conflicts with Duneier, reflecting tensions around authority and perceived privilege.

A Vermont couple who seasonally sell Christmas trees in New York and enjoy neighborhood acceptance, highlighting contrasts in perceptions based on race and class.

A lawyer advocating for policing theories that seek to control street vending, considering such acts as anti-social.

A First Amendment lobbyist initially supporting vendor rights but later promoting restrictions to regulate street vending practices.

The mayor of New York City known for quality-of-life initiatives that affect street vendors through broken-windows policing policies.

Sociologists known for the broken-windows theory, advocating for stricter policing, which impacts the lives of street vendors.