The market's approval still leaves scores of the 100 or so vendors who regularly sell spices, socks, watches and jewelry without legal status.

"It's like owning a shoe store," he said, "and not being allowed to sell socks."

The chains not only sell socks but also manufacture about two-thirds of what they offer.

He sold videotapes, gloves and socks from the sidewalk along 14th Street during the day and studied in the evenings.

"People would say, 'It's a market where you can only sell socks.' "

She was less than a farmer's daughter; her father sold socks and aprons in fairs.

We need people who are going to come here and sell socks and underwear.

They usually sell nice little socks in there.

Gregorio Romero, a neighbor who sells cheap socks, nodded in agreement.

She envisioned small shops that only sold women's tights, stockings, and socks.