Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Video: Subway Candy Peddler Makes $150 Cash A Day
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 1, 2011
Modified Dec 1, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 1, 2011
Modified Dec 1, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Bronx resident Alex "Tracks" McFarland has been selling candy in NYC's subway system since he was 11 years old. He's now 25 and still doing his hustle, buying $300 sneakers with his earnings and "staying fly from head to toe." McFarland says he makes $150 a day, and in this interesting video, he breaks down the secret to his success:
Sugar rush hour from Bianca Consunji on Vimeo.
The most essential aspect of McFarland's lucrative business model is variety. Peanut M&M's are the number one seller, but if that's not your bag, he's got plenty of options. "Then I got trail mix bars for people that like to eat healthy, which, this got the most sugar in it," McFarland explains with a chuckle. "Then I got cookies for people who claim they don't eat candy. It's like a 'can't say no' flip, so if you don't spend a dollar with me, either you don't have it or you're a hater." Or you're the MTA, which prohibits "the solicitation of money or payment for food, goods, services or entertainment."
[Thanks to Bianca Consunji for sharing her video!]
Tagged
Alex "Tracks" McFarland
MTA
subway
subway candy
subway peddling
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .