Arabber

During World War II, factory jobs opened to white laborers, leaving arabbing an almost entirely African-American vocation.

In the later 20th century, arabbers faced additional challenges from city zoning and vending regulations, and from animal rights advocates concerned about the health and welfare of the horses.

In 1994, the Arabber Preservation Society was founded to help bring Baltimore's Retreat Street stable, which had been condemned, up to city building codes.

[4] The society continues to renovate and promote the preservation of the stables serving the remaining arabbers, who number fewer than a dozen.

Besides providing a nostalgic glimpse of the past, arabbers still serve a practical purpose, bringing fresh produce and other goods to urban neighborhoods that are underserved by grocery stores.