A City sanitation crew stopped by Avenue A between East Second Street and East Third Street around noon today and dumped all of the items Manny the Peddler has been selling along here.
Said one witness:
It appears the manager of the New York Sports Club called the city rather than ask Manny to move his things to another spot along the block, which most other business owners on this block do. Manny is happy to oblige.
Considering the eyesore and highly illegal-looking construction that's been taking up the sidewalk for MONTHS now outside the sports club, it seems like a real douchey move.
Manny is a sweetheart and favorite of many locals in the neighborhood.
This isn't the first time that the city tossed Manny's sale items.
Manny, aka Emmanuel Howard, has been selling second-hand items on Avenue A and East Second Street for more than 35 years.
Updated 5/27
NYSC General Manager Anthony Testai responded with this comment:
I just wanted to say — as the General Manager of the NYSC on Ave A that I am shocked to see how badly my company is getting dragged thru the mud with this. Manny and I have personally chatted multiple times and I was disappointed to see the city throw away his things again.
Just so most of you are aware this is the third time that I know of that this has happened and as all of you know..(weve only been here for 3 months). I can assure you that NYSC myself and my staff included had NOTHING to do with the fact that he had his things thrown away. The first time this happened before we were even open I immediately ran down to Manny and apologized for his belongings being thrown away.
Manny sells his things in front of the methadone clinic and he's not near our storefront, which is why we have no problem with him doing his business, he knows that because we have spoken and I say hello to him almost everyday.
On behalf of NYSC I apologize for this happening but it did not come from us, I even spoke to the construction team and they had nothing to do with it.
Now for the real issue the SIDEWALK! This is killing everyone's business and is a huge problem with the community and me. Just so everyone is aware the sidewalk has been the city not giving us to remove an oil tank that was abandoned beneath the old sidewalk. And so everyone is updated it will be completed by the end of this month if not sooner.
If anyone has any questions please feel free to stop by, tour the gym and see that we are not some "big business" or call me...
We all know the NY Sports Club is a temporary entity in that spot. Will it even last 18 months? They have to depreciate at least some of the buildout.
ReplyDeleteTypical government crookeaucracy. Where is Al Capone when we need him?
ReplyDeleteI spoke to MaryO, owner of the bar MaryO's, which is next door to the sports club, and she spoke of the dangerous condition created by the sidewalk and street construction. Someone fell through a hole there not long ago. She has been trying to obtain information about the construction from the building owner, who evidently is responsible for it, but hasn't had success.
Where is the local community board member or city council person? Why are they not intervening? Who is responsible for street construction?
I would call 311, but it's a useless crookeaucracy, as anyone who has ever wasted two minutes calling it knows.
Bill, resident of 1984ish Havana on the Hudson
Manny is a member of and a great asset to our neighborhood. Does anyone really believe that the ny sports club is something that we need here ?
ReplyDeleteHow about NYSC clear up the sidewalk space they still take up despite construction now being over? What assholes.
ReplyDeleteAwful, unnecessary news. Manny's the best. Let's all bring him our overstock and unwanted books, etc.
ReplyDeletethis is very disturbing news. for the past 15 years i have always looked to see what manny is selling as i walk by his wares. i hope he sets up in another location. i agree with greg masters and appeal to everyone to help him out with unwanted goods.
ReplyDeleteHow about that woman selling used books (most of the time) on Ave. A and St. Mark's Pl. in front of that supposedly full-service and menu Mexican Bar? I guess she's not an eye sore.
ReplyDeleteThe Beautiful People, The Beautiful People
It's all relative to the size of your steeple
You can't see the forest from the trees
And you can't smell your own shit on your knees
Books and records do not need a permit in NYC. A corporation can take a public sidewalk. Hmmmm
DeleteWhat a bunch of heartless assholes. Easy to see, by this disgusting act, that NYSC really wants to be considered good neighbors.
ReplyDeleteI worked for nysc for a dreadful 6 months. Total scumbag organization. They do use non-union workers specifically. Cheap bastards and bleed their employees as per the "new norm" in all corporations.
ReplyDeleteAll they had to do was send someone outside - like the GM or AGM - and simply ASK. But no one wants to think outside the company box... Morons.
Here are consumer complaints about the New York Sports Club Organization:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.consumeraffairs.com/health_clubs/ny_sports_club.html
Better Business Bureau Complaints for NEW YORK SPORTS CLUB. The NYSC has an F Rating with the Better Business Bureau:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbb.org/new-york-city/business-reviews/health-clubs/new-york-sports-clubs-in-new-york-ny-554
"It appears"? This is all based on a reader's supposition? It's more likely that people who have been complaining about the sidewalk being blocked were responsible.
ReplyDeleteUnintended consequences, people!
Who do I complain to about a similar situation? Sanitation? NYPD?
ReplyDeleteDisgusting. Fuck NYSC. And their illegal signs they littered the neighborhood with over the winter. And their everything.
ReplyDeleteDisgusting. Fuck NYSC. And their illegal signs they littered the neighborhood with over the winter. And their everything.
ReplyDeleteThe sidewalk issue is the fucking construction - not Manny!!!!
ReplyDeleteYet another example of a corporate carpetbagger invading our neighborhood and determining what should go and be allowed (by their standard) to remain. In line with their CONTEMPT for our neighborhood is their obstructing the sidewalk for months on end, with NO sign of completion of whateverthefuck they appear to be doing there.
ReplyDeleteAside from an active BOYCOTT campaign vs this shit gym, I wouldn't be surprised if someone didn't exercise some STREET JUSTICE....
Manny and the other people who sell items on the sidewalk are an eyesore to the new residents and businesses moving into the East Village. It isn't just New York Sports Club. Other newbies are trying to run the old characters out of the neighborhood and I am sick of it.
ReplyDeleteThere is absolutely ZERO proof that NYSC had anything to do with this, and yet the lynch mob is already forming.
ReplyDeleteThis is outrageous. We should all call NYSC and tell them to clean up the sidewalk. I've lived in the neighborhood for 23 years and I just gave Manny some books to sell last weekend. I am also a member of NYSC (it's convenient). The manager should be told that the construction materials in front of the building are the problem. It's even difficult to get in and out of the gym without blocking the sidewalk with the door. I will call him and I will call 311. I'll also get some more things together to give to Manny. I was so happy to give him some of my old books, knowing that they would be recycled for good use.
ReplyDeleteIs there any evidence that NYSC actually were the ones that called the police on Manny?
ReplyDeleteNYSC is the absolute WORST - shady,boring, useless organization that we did NOT need in the EV. How dare they come to Ave A and have zero respect for Manny, an integral beloved member of the block? Not surprised though. Hope this can be righted and oh yes - unblock the sidewalk!
ReplyDeleteI don't use NYSC because they suck but that aside I could see how having a guy loitering outside your business with what is nothing more then trash on the sidewalk could be an annoyance.
ReplyDeleteMaybe one of you who thinks he's a gem in the area could ask him to sit in front of your building and setup shop.
Or maybe because it's next to the Methadone Clinic you think it's OK?
And if the sidewalk construction is questionable someone call the city instead of just complaining about it. That's what 311 is for. Or maybe just look for the permits that are supposed to be showing at all construction sites before letting accusations fly.
It's pretty simple, don't patronize the NYSC and eventually it will go out of business, surprised by the poster who is so disgusted yet patronizes the business
ReplyDeleteAnon 11:32am. Thank you. A voice of common sense and reason.
ReplyDeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say- as the General Manager of the NYSC on Ave A that I am shocked to see how badly my company is getting dragged thru the mud with this. Manny and I have personally chatted multiple times and I was disappointed to see the city throw away his things again. Just so most of you are aware this is the third time that I know of that this has happened and as all of you know..(weve only been here for 3 months). I can assure you that NYSC myself and my staff included had NOTHING to do with the fact that he had his things thrown away. The first time this happened before we were even open I immediately ran down to many and apologized for his belongings being thrown away.
http://evgrieve.com/2012/03/city-trashes-some-of-manny-peddlers.html
your post from over 3 years ago
Manny sells his things in front of the methadone clinic and he's not near our storefront which is why we have no problem with him doing his business, he knows that because we have spoken and I say hello to him almost everyday.
On behalf of NYSC I apologize for this happening but it did not come from us, I even spoke to the construction team and they had nothing to do with it.
Now for the real issue the SIDEWALK! This is killing everyone's business and is a huge problem with the community and me. Just so everyone is aware the sidewalk has been the city not giving us to remove an oil tank that was abandoned beneath the old sidewalk. And so everyone is updated it will be completed by the end of this month if not sooner.
If anyone has any questions please feel free to stop by, tour the gym and see that we are not some "big business" or call me
Anthony Testai
212.228.1137
Anthony.Testai@tsiclubs.com
I mean do we know that NYSC did it? It kinda seems like leave your stuff on the street and the city sanitation is going to take it..
ReplyDeleteON behalf of NYSC
ReplyDeletePEOPLE SHOULD NOT JUDGE AND PROSECUTE SO QUICKLY. FORMER EMPLOYEES OR DISGRUNTAL MEMBERS OF COURSE WILL SLANDER AND JUMP ON THE BAND WAGON.
HAVE A MIND FOR YOURSELF - SPEAK WITH THE GM OF THE GYM.
It was probably them though.
ReplyDelete