7-Eleven is taking Manhattan by storm. The Dallas-based convenience store operator recently opened two outposts in Murray Hill and has signed leases for another two locations elsewhere in the borough.
“We are actively looking,” said Margaret Chabris, public relations director for 83-year-old 7-Eleven Inc., noting that New York is a key growth market. The company, which has several additional leases out for negotiation in Manhattan, is also moving onto college campuses and airports.
By the end of 2012, 7-Eleven plans to have between 15 and 20 Manhattan locations, according to real estate sources. In the next five years, the company aims to operate 100 outposts here.
“There are more attractive locations available now than there were in the past, and this is due to the recession," Ms. Chabris said. "A lot of small businesses are having a tough time growing, or some of them aren't able to renew leases."
Part of the company's new strategy involves a small-business conversion program where existing mom-and-pop stores, convenience shops or bodegas transition their businesses into 7-Eleven franchise locations. Each outpost costs approximately $250,000 to remodel.
So far, the company has replaced old delis and DVD stores, and even a former Starbucks on Third Avenue.
Pioneering Street Artist Crash Returns With Solo Show “Works of Paper 1980–2010” @ Debut Show of Dorian Grey Gallery in NYC’s East Village October 7 Artist’s Reception Will Include “Live Action” Art Event
WHAT: A solo show of works on paper spanning 1980 to today by CRASH, a legendary fixture on New York’s graffiti/street art scene for three decades. The 30 drawings and watercolors presented served as a virtual diary and workbook for the artist, a way of venturing into artforms not covered in his best-known large-scale murals and tags. The show will also be highlighted with a “live action” art performance during the opening reception, October 7, from 6 – 9 pm, when CRASH and TAT’S CRU will be spray painting on a silhouette image of an old IRT “redbird” subway car, the canvas for some of his most powerful early work.
WHERE: CRASH “Works On Paper 1980 – 2010” will be the debut of the East Village’s new art attraction, the Dorian Grey Gallery (DGG). Dorian Grey Gallery is a dynamic “pop up” retail venue geared at showcasing both established and emerging artists, presenting a diverse selection of exemplary art in an intimate and informative environment. DGG is a joint venture between veteran art dealers Christopher Pusey and Luis Accorsi.
To All of our Valued Customers
I regret to have to inform you that we will be closing Milo Printing today. After 99 years of great success we can no longer compete in today's business environment. I want to thank all of you for your business and support over the years.
We will keep our e-mail active for the next 60 days and if we can be of any assistance to you concerning art work files please let us know. I will try to do whatever is possible to provide any files we may have here for your future printing needs
Again thank you all for the many years of business.
Steve Michaels
Milo Printing
In June, Pamac Realty filed suit against Kurban Ali Kokan, the store's owner, after Kokan did not pay $27,400 in back rent. The Kokan family claimed that the store had water damage that was never properly repaired. The suit ended on August 9, when a judge ruled that Kokan must pay the back rent with interest and vacate the building. Pamac's attorney created a stipulation that reduced the amount to $20,000.
But that's still too much money, says Kokan's wife, Cemile, who is currently working at the store with their son Sadik. (The Kokan's rent was $4,400 each month for the last five years, during which business slowed down, her husband fell ill, and medical bills needed to be paid.)
Then Pamac Realty posted a For Rent sign above the storefront. "He came one day and he said 'pay or ship out' -- those were his words," Cemile says. "I'm not blaming him, but some of things he does are unfair. He's not a bad landlord, but he's fed up with me too. I guess 18 to 20 years doesn't count."
Cemile, 65, wipes tears from her eyes as she sells a few yards of brown vinyl to a customer. "I'm sorry," she says. "It's just that there's been no peace in my house for a while," she tells the customer. "We are getting older now, my husband is 80. We still have a mortgage to pay. What are we going to do after this?"
"I just want folks to know that the whole neighborhood is going to crap," Sadik, 33, says. "I mean [my parents] are senior citizens, you know? We're just tired of being honest and loyal, when apparent greed is all that matters. This just shows you what is happening to our community now."
Pasquale Coppolechia, the president of Pamac Realty, says that the tenants were never a problem, when they were paying the rent. He says the Kokans were at least eight months behind in rent and that after their 10-year lease expired, they went on a one-year lease and eventually a month-to-month one. "We offered an installment plan as well," he says. "I know they were going through some 'apparent' difficulties and that they were clearly struggling, but even these negotiations just took up time."
Coppolechia says that there are already businesses interested in the First Avenue location. "We've been collecting several requests from the broker, pardon my French, but they were like flies on shit."
PLEASE WRITE ABOUT THE E 3RD ST PET STORE ABOUT TO CLOSE! HUGE DISCOUNTS, SUCH A NICE GUY THE OWNER I FEEL SO BAD, THESE GREEDY LANDLORDS ARE OUT OF CONTROL!
A company rep did emphasize to us that Rag & Bone "did not swoop in" and kick Café Colonial out with capacity to afford higher rent payments. The beloved restaurant already lost its lease before talks even began, but now at least the nabe gets a shiny new store as opposed to a sad empty storefront. Rag & Bone did make a strong effort to keep many of the iconic signature from ye old Café Colonial, including the lovingly-worn blue and white tile floor, the white kitchen wall tiles and the white painted pressed tin ceilings.
More and more, beloved icons of the city are getting their guts ripped out for revamping, given over to the wealthy, made exclusive, though the husks are kept intact for the cultural cachet they bring to the new owners, who pride themselves on their dedication to preservation, and receive praise for saving the old holes in the wall from turning into banks.
Come August, one of the last of the East Village's family-owned fabric stores, Village Fabrics, will close its doors for good.
With little more than a month before it shutters, the store is hosting a liquidation sale to clear out the rest of its inventory. Owner Stephen Katz expressed sadness and frustration over the futility of working to save the business his parents started 20 years ago. He anticipates the store will last until August, despite his persistent attempts to petition the city council and negotiate with landlords.
At this point, Katz is unsure of what the future will bring for his family's business, and for the industry as a whole. After a long time bailing out a sinking ship, he's understandably exhausted and can only take it day by day. However, with a small business like Village Fabric, they became what they did based on a sense of resourcefulness and creativity this city is famous for. That said, we can only be optimistic for the next generation of garment industry scions to help foster and cultivate fledgling design talent (and service the sewing needs of the rest of us).
