Reimagining Retail Carts for Street Vendors

Roadside vendors are woven into the streetscapes of the world. They invented the American diner, gave Delhi a soundtrack, and tangle with struggles for justice, legitimacy, and prosperity. And in downtown Boston, they’re getting an eye-catching upgrade to become part of a neighborhood’s identity.

For decades, wagon-wheel push carts have rolled around the area, today selling everything from cell phone cases to Patriots hoodies. Now, several silver and lime green carts are rolling in, promising more adaptability to suit each vendor’s needs. The sleek and reconfigurable Modular Urban Vending (or MUV) carts were created by Radlab, a Boston-based design and fabrication firm. “We were excited about taking this old form of retail and attempting to breathe new life into it,” says Ian Carney, one of the designers of the carts.