I was talking with a student about the Boycott 711 gathering today.
She: "Why? Who cares? I love 711. My friends love 711! They are open 24/7. They don't card you fro beer or rarely ever do. You can get cheap and nasty food. And I grew up with 711's in my home town. Me and all my friends hung out in the parking lot."
Me: "But don't you understand that businesses like 711 are undermining the independent family businessperson and washing away elements of culture that made this area attractive to people like you."
She: "Dude who cares? I like my 711. Are you and your friends from the area going to try and stop KMart and Wallmart next?
Thats the problem, there is a large amount people that come here from the burbs whom have no attachments to the city and find the convenience and familiarity irresistible. Similarly if I went to their suburb and found a nice mom and pop shop I would shop there before I would Wallmart or 711.
711 also pays large rent. They can afford it. Landlords like Steven Croman who is not a native New Yorker likes big corporations who pay their demands.
I think 7-Eleven is underestimating their value in New York. Demographics aside, all they sell is garbage. We have so many better things to choose from.
Bodegas overcharge and are economically inefficent and notoriously sell rolling papers and alcohol to minors. 7-11s bring economic and legal efficiencies to the market.
How do you stop a business from legally occupying a commercial space, paying the agreed upon rent, acting within the law and is code compliant? It does not matter if you are native to the area and hung out at Bar on A on all the time back in the 90's. Many might consider it unfortunate, but the fact is you cannot stop corporate domination in this setting. It's New York City and it is changing, and it will continue to change for as long as you are alive (for better or worse). What is the express statement of this rally? "Boycott 7-11 because, well gosh darnit, we don't like it!"
9 comments:
Every time I read these posts, I first see it as There's no 7-11 rally today.
Here's the problem.
I was talking with a student about the Boycott 711 gathering today.
She: "Why? Who cares? I love 711. My friends love 711! They are open 24/7. They don't card you fro beer or rarely ever do. You can get cheap and nasty food. And I grew up with 711's in my home town. Me and all my friends hung out in the parking lot."
Me: "But don't you understand that businesses like 711 are undermining the independent family businessperson and washing away elements of culture that made this area attractive to people like you."
She: "Dude who cares? I like my 711. Are you and your friends from the area going to try and stop KMart and Wallmart next?
Thats the problem, there is a large amount people that come here from the burbs whom have no attachments to the city and find the convenience and familiarity irresistible. Similarly if I went to their suburb and found a nice mom and pop shop I would shop there before I would Wallmart or 711.
711 also pays large rent. They can afford it. Landlords like Steven Croman who is not a native New Yorker likes big corporations who pay their demands.
Where does it end?
I think 7-Eleven is underestimating their value in New York. Demographics aside, all they sell is garbage. We have so many better things to choose from.
711s operate all over Tokyo and HK with no problems affecting mom and pop businesses. Just saying, people should focus on NYU instead.
Anyone who likes 7-Eleven is not long for the neighborhood. These people come and go like the wind.
Don't worry about them.
Bodegas overcharge and are economically inefficent and notoriously sell rolling papers and alcohol to minors. 7-11s bring economic and legal efficiencies to the market.
How do you boycott a store that isn't open yet?
How do you stop a business from legally occupying a commercial space, paying the agreed upon rent, acting within the law and is code compliant? It does not matter if you are native to the area and hung out at Bar on A on all the time back in the 90's. Many might consider it unfortunate, but the fact is you cannot stop corporate domination in this setting. It's New York City and it is changing, and it will continue to change for as long as you are alive (for better or worse).
What is the express statement of this rally? "Boycott 7-11 because, well gosh darnit, we don't like it!"
Who shops at 7-Eleven? It's like eating at a gas station.
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