[Photo from July 3]
Via the EVG inbox...
Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, East Village Independent Merchants Association, East Village Community Coalition, other local businesses and residents will hold a rally and press conference calling attention to the proliferation of chain stores in the East Village, an area known for small, independently-owned and unique businesses, highlighting how chains promote homogeneity, take money out of neighborhoods, lead to vacancies as landlords wait for a national chain to pay exorbitant rents and put local independent stores out of business.
At the rally participants will call for the approval of a Special Retail District that would limit the size and number of chain stores and promote retail diversity that is currently under consideration by Community Board #3, promote a Shop Local campaign and draw attention to the need for a City Council hearing on the Small Business Jobs Survival Act.
Coffee will be served by local café owners.
What: Not Another Starbucks Rally
Where: 125 Saint Mark’s Place at Avenue A
When: Thursday, July 13, 5:30 p.m.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Steve Cuozzo: 'A new Starbucks will make the thriving East Village an even better place to live'
A look the incoming Starbucks on St. Mark's and Avenue A, site of a rally on July 13
You know who won't be there? The NY Post's Steve Cuozzo. Because that's one chicken who never crosses the road. But the Post will send some snarky reporter to do a hit job on the protesters, just like they did to Occupy Wall Street and every other progressive movement. I wish Tje Bean had taken this space but it's so overpriced that only big chains can take the losses before they can eke out a profit. I bet this Starbucks gets overrun by Crusties and laptop warriors who take up all the tables and don't buy anything and steal the NY Post off the newsracks. The Crustie Starbucks has a nice ring to it.
ReplyDeleteWhat about a "Not Another Bean" rally? Only sorta kidding... EV is lousy in coffee shops!
ReplyDeleteNow if only NYS will legalize recreational marijuana and Starbucks would start a small side business in their stores, nobody would complain. For sure.
ReplyDelete"that's one chicken who never crosses the road" Giovanni you are spoiling us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a waste of time and energy. How does one define "chain store"? The overwhelming enthusiasm on EV Grieve for the Bean that will open in the old St. Marks Bookstore spot on 3rd Avenue just goes to prove that the readers and posters here have never met a coffee shop (except if it is Starbucks) that they can't get behind and salute with praise praise and more praise. Is Bean a chain, is Dos Toros a chain? Of course we dare not criticize the Green Village Historical Preservation (those two words historical and preservation are barriers we dare not cross--by definition they are perfect and anything they propose is to be accepted on faith). Just tired of fake indignation.
ReplyDeletesince this will be a mindless waste of time---why not kill two....---work their way to 14th/A and protest the new L entrance.....---then (since they are right there) protest the planned trader joe's!!!
ReplyDeleteThis rally won't stop the Starbucks from opening, but it can't hurt to show the mayor and the city council that we want them to do something to protect small business in the neighborhood. I am glad these people are trying to do something. It is easy to post snide commentary on a message board, which is what most people do. It's a lot more work to get out there and do something. Go and meet people who care about the neighborhood. Maybe you can work on other causes together, too.
ReplyDeleteWith all of the comments and impending rally, one would think we are on the brink of a world war in the EV. It's Starbucks. What is the big issue? The world won't stop turning. Stop whining and move on.
ReplyDeleteIt is not just about this Starbucks, or the 317 others in NYC, so there’s good reason to come whether you live in the immediate vicinity or not. And as further incentive, there will be coffee provided by MUD!
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to learn more about the sensible policy proposals that are being promoted by this rally:
http://gvshp.org/blog/2017/07/13/not-another-starbucks-rally-today/
What are opportunities to donate time to GVSHP? I inquired a few years ago , not sure exact year . But the person I spoke with was not particularly friendly. I don't have extra money to donate but I am willing to give my time and energy.
DeleteI love Starbucks in the EV. The Bean is the only other alternative and it's somehow more expensive for less quality.
ReplyDeleteRe 9:57 there are enough storefronts and delivering services that handle the green if u are in the know
ReplyDeletehttps://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/07/14/opinion/small-businesses-new-york-city.html
ReplyDelete