[Photo via RyanAvenueA]
Earlier in the week, we noted the arrival of a newly formed (and apocalyptically named) End of Avenue A Block Association.
At the time we thought this was the work of residents. Turns out it is a group of bar/restaurant owners on the block between East Second Street and East Houston.
Jaime Felber, an owner of Boulton & Watt, offered some background via email.
"I approached all the bars on our block to join us, and was happy that Yerba Buena, 2A, the Library and Ella chose to join in," Felber said. "While this was set up by the managers and owners of the bars on our block, we obviously welcome the inclusion of anyone within our community."
There was a small turnout for the meeting. (He said that Boulton & Watt had flyers promoting the meeting up in their windows in recent weeks. He promised to share meeting info with EVG in advance of the next meeting.)
"A few issues regarding sidewalk congestion, noise and consideration of garbage were brought to our attention, and we worked out a basic course of action to hopefully mitigate these problems as best we can."
Felber said that he and one of his Boulton & Watt partners within a few blocks of here.
"So we consider ourselves part of the neighborhood as residents as much as bar operators, and look forward to further conversations." (Residents can use this email for any correspondence with the group.)
Oh, and how about the name — the End of Avenue A Block Association?
"The rather ominous-sounding name we chose for our block association was also pointed out at [the] meeting," Felber said. "Of course we didn't have that intention, but now it's out there, it seems almost a shame to change it."
I would think that Avenue A at Houston would be the beginning, not the end. From their perspective, Avenue A starts on 14th Street.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the name, it would not be a shame to change it. They just formed -- lots of things change during the formation period.
They need to change the name for a very simple reason: nobody who lives here calls it the End of Avenue. Also the name sucks and sounds like an embrace of hyper- gentrification. If anything it's the beginning of the Avenue so they imply they don't even know where they are.. Sounds like they are trying to rebrand the area again, yet another marketing trick to make people forget about Alphabet City and the EV. Maybe they can call it the End of Midtown South East.
ReplyDeleteDoes that name really mean what they wanted it to mean? To my mind the awkward name comes from limited familiarity with reading and poor education in writing. Which is now epidemic.
ReplyDeleteI noted their fliers had no starting time on them. I went and spoke to the manager at B&W - he said 6PM - now I am guessing why so early - the other owners and reps need to get back to their bars before night business begins. The rest of us might still be at work.
Also, regarding B&W, when the sidewalks are crowded, I have begun to walk within their barriers and empty sidewalk seating areas as I pass by or round that corner.
SB
BOTTOM of Ave A ?
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ReplyDeleteBar owners forming a block association: LOL
ReplyDeleteThis is a joke that writes itself.
Good name too, they should keep it because that's really what they're after- the end of Avenue A as a liveable area.
Now let's see if Susan Stetser recognizes this group as a legitimate BA. She did not recognize the Dwellers.
ReplyDeleteWhy are they calling it a block association? It is a business group, so call it something like a business alliance or whatever. Don't try to act like you are acting in the best interests on the people who live around you. You formed this group to benefit your businesses, and that is fine, but be upfront about it.
ReplyDeleteYes Avenue A. “The Avenue of Assholes”© on Friday and Saturday nights.
ReplyDeleteThe Block Assoc was formed out of a conversation I had with owner of B & W to deal with resident complaints. We appreciate the effort and the residents who attended were very happy to constructively discuss issues with the businesses. Double Down and Kellys declined to participate—and this was noted.
ReplyDeleteThe flyers were not posted conspicuously till the day of the meeting—but one learns from each effort. Many of us think the over saturation of bars has degraded our quality of life—but there is no reason to complain about any efforts to resolve issues—however small. It was a positive meeting.
Love how this blogger censors comments about Stetzer and her being positive about this End of Ave. A but negative towards LES Dwellers. This just makes you in bed with Stetzer as she is in bed with the bar owners. Hands up, don't post. Hypocrite.
ReplyDelete@ anon 11:18
ReplyDeleteI approved every comment that I received on this post. I don't know what you are talking about.
This post is also on Facebook, so you may also leave a comment there.
And I have a funny story to tell you if you'd like to send me an email: grieve98@gmail.com
Grieve, lots of comments are likely getting lost since the activation of the captcha box. If people put in the wrong captcha and press submit they might think they have submitted a comment because the page refreshes and goes back to the top of the comments, but there is a little red warning thats hard to see at on back at the bottom in the captcha box that tells you to put in the captcha again. The more comments there are the less likely they will notice they need to resubmit a comment.
ReplyDeleteIt's a blogger platform design issue, they should make the warning easier to see at the top of the page --maybe time to go back to no captchas or put up a notice about it?
Thanks Giovanni. I'll take a look at that … I never activated the captcha box… Google/Blogger did that on their own...
ReplyDeleteIt looks like Google has recently changed the system so even if you turn off captcha its still there for anyone using anonymous or name/url for their ID, which is the majority of comments here. They must want everyone to use Google or Open ID to sign in, so you can turn it off for those users and also try using Sometimes moderation to save yourself time from reading every comment (unless that's your thing!).
ReplyDeletePS I just submitted this comment and put in the wrong captcha and had the same problem, luckliy Im an expert now on Gllfgles sucky captcha system
Not surprising AT ALL to see that "quality of life" nazi (and rubber-stamp supporter of liquor licenses for the very bars that she publicly decries) Susan Stetzer is behind this latest scheme....
ReplyDeletethanks Giovanni! I thought on was on the naughty Grieve list for a second! Its just my bad eyesight!And reading every comment is half the fun of EVG.
ReplyDeleteSusan Stetzer says "The Block Assoc was formed out of a conversation I had with owner of B & W to deal with resident complaints."
ReplyDelete"Resident complaints" is the same LIE that Stetzer uses to act outside the boundaries of her position as "District Manager" (paper shuffler and committee calendar organizer) at Community Board Three, where she serves in an UNELECTED position at the pleasure of City Council Member Rosie Mendez. Her job description does NOT provide for or authorize her to do ANYthing else, yet she continually holds secret meetings and lodges complaints that adversely affect the civil rights of others.
Does anyone really believe that area residents call STETZER instead of 311 or 911 to complain about a noisy bar or guy selling xmas trees (2 years ago, Stetzer got the guy outside the St. Mark's Church a $1500 city fine and he had to pack up his trees and split) or a concert in the park?? And that STETZER is empowered to act on those alleged complaints?
According to SHADOW sources, this refugee from Wisonsin is a power-mad control freak who has CB3 members afraid of her terrorist tactics. They also tell us that while she publicly objects to new liquor licenses, she makes sure that licenses are approved for her allies on the board.
Until and unless Mendez reigns her in or kicks her out, Stetzer will continue to act as the great pretender she is, claiming to speak for the community while doing her dirty deals on the side.
Aforementioned bars meeting with Stetzer about the concerns of the residents is like the banks that are too big too fail meeting with Paulson to discuss the concerns of its depositors, i.e. both only serving their own interests at the expense of those they're supposed to be protecting.
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