The Chelsea Markets, like much of NYC, was originally a manufacturing plant; specifically for Nabisco.  As rent in the city went up, manufacturing moved to cheaper locations and then the cities vices such as prostitution and drugs moved in.  The area around the markets had quite a bad reputation, so the city decided to clean it up.  Vendors and wholesale moved in, using the accessibility of the High Line to move products along the edge of the city.  Once the High Line was closed, the markets slowed down.  After the High Line’s restoration was finished and opened to the public, it became a destination making business boom for Chelsea Markets.  Mo0re and more food places opened as well as manufactured there, until recently when production was moved elsewhere.  Now Chelsea Markets is more of a higher end food court, toting artisanal as well as imported products for foodies of all kinds.  Chelsea Markets is open from 7AM until 9PM.  The A,C, and E trains run near from the 14th Street and 8th Ave stop.