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Untold Stories: Illustrated Interview with Holden Warren of the Arabber Preservation Society

By Gabrielle Cote-Nielsen

Published on: December 29, 2022 9:39 AM EST

Getting to Know Baltimore Arabbing with Holden Warren. Holden is the VP of the Arabber Preservation Society, a Baltimore native and a cinematographer. He facilitates awareness of Arabbing through his documentaries and photographs. Arabber: A street vendor, or “hawker,” selling fruits and vegetables from a colorful horse-drawn cart. Holden: “Arabbing is just all around a great thing for the Baltimore community. Arabbing is one of the last itinerary-style jobs. Society’s idea of “convenience” has changed since when Arabbing was more popular.” — (Gabrielle Cote-Nielsen for The Baltimore Banner)

The Carlton St. Stable is tucked in an alleyway just outside of Pigtown. Lavar is the main person who upkeeps the Carlton Street Stable, along with help from the surrounding neighbors, who love stopping by. Holden: “This stable has six horses right now... This place is hugely a communal thing. It functions as more than home base for the Arabbers’ horses. It’s home to pigeons, goats, chickens and a family of pigs, too!”

This is Tony, a seasoned Arabber, and Michelle. Michelle is Tony’s favorite horse to work with. The horses work at pony parties and horse-centered therapy services, too! Holden: “I really want people to consider how sustainable Arabbing is... Ripe produce has no value to major grocery markets, so a lot of ready-to-eat produce gets discarded and considered ‘waste.’ The Arabbers buy the produce they intend to sell on their daily route."

Gabrielle Cote-Nielsen is an illustrator based in Baltimore. Find more at www.gabriellecotenielsen.com or @byegabthanks on Instagram.