Lovely Corner Stores...we take WIC Cards...awesome.

[gunsnrosesmz]

I sent this into the Review. I didnt think it would get printed in the letter to the editor section, so here it is. Just a rant I guess. I was so ticked off with another crappy corner store opening.



Another corner bites the dust. Another South Philadelphia street gets capped off with something that is so out of place, its hard to figure out where to start. Recently a new variety store opened at the corner of 12th and Wolf Street. Where a former floral store once stood, now sits another store where I can get my daily fix of soda, cigarette, "chip", "vegetable." Please stop right here and realize that this is not a jab at any certain race or ethnicity. The owners of these stores work hard and work long hours, which practically beg for these stores to bring crime into the area. Regardless, this is just a concerned citizen who is wondering what fits in with certain neighborhoods.

Two other properties in recent years have become local variety stores, one near A.S. Jenks which replaced a florist and another two blocks away that replaced a crab bar. The new stores with their bright yellow signs signal to me to stay away from the area. We work hard to keep our often 80 year old homes looking nice, and then before we know it our house is next to a store proudly listing they accept WIC and ACCESS cards. I know that it is not just me who feels this way and that this is the feeling of many South Philadelphians that I have talked with.

Sadly, I feel like within the next 5 years we will see more and more of our corner hair salons, barber shops, water ice stands, specialized grocery stores, and pizza shops that help make South Philadelphia who it is, replaced by more variety stores. Exactly how many of the same shop do we need within a 2 or 3 block radius? Maybe a solution could be to require certain sign laws that would force the owner to try to "fit in" with the neighborhood. Is it fair to a person who may have just purchased a 150,000 house to have the area around their investment look like it may be turning into certain less desirable parts of the city? It's almost to the point where an empty shop would look light years better than another one of these stores.

[philly704]

Hi I just send you a PM. I sent write up to the local civic association: Lower Moyamensing Civic Association. lomophilly.org.

[TBrown]

They just removed the yellow signs/awnings and bolted on Newport sign from a new place on e. passyunk ave. But they still have the WIC and ATM signs up. People should not patronize these sort of stores if they want to promote the "ghetto look" in nice neighborhoods. I actually believe these signs are bannd in Philly. Call L&I and check for permits.

[gunsnrosesmz]

Its ashame. You see the corner delis that have been there for years closing, and yet people still shop at these hideous looking stores. Take the yellow down

[Viburnum]

Call L&I and check for permits.

L&I is too busy putting the hammer to legitamate, long established businesses.
Why waste time with some illegal with an unlicensed bodega or visa absconder who's opened a corner store with an SBA loan procured with a fake SS#? Those guys are never gonna pay.
Get the fruit on the ground if you're going to fill the city's coffers.

[Oladybug]

They just removed the yellow signs/awnings and bolted on Newport sign from a new place on e. passyunk ave.

And that was done thanks to the vigilance and tenacity of both the E. Passyunk Crossing Civic Assoc. and the E. Passyunk Business Improvement District. I know the good folks at the LoMo Civic Assoc. are no slouches either, so I'll bet they're already on this. Stay tuned.

People should not patronize these sort of stores if they want to promote the "ghetto look" in nice neighborhoods.

That's the best strategy!

[TBrown]

L&I is too busy putting the hammer to legitamate, long established businesses.
Why waste time with some illegal with an unlicensed bodega or visa absconder who's opened a corner store with an SBA loan procured with a fake SS#? Those guys are never gonna pay.
Get the fruit on the ground if you're going to fill the city's coffers.

How true this rings! I love this word "bodega" I surmise it makes one feel good to spend their cash in a illegal sh*t hole.

[luchobucho]

Question:

I hear a lot people complain about "illegals" taking over the neighborhood and good businesses closing. I ask, what are the neighbors doing to stop this? Where are the neighborhood entrepreneurs? Would the neighborhood support the new businesses? If people didn't want bodegas, they wouldn't last, but clearly there is a market for the stores, otherwise they would shutdown from lack of business.

An empty shop would look better than a mini-mart? Tell that to the building owner.


If there were more people stepping up to open what you would consider "legitimate" businesses, this wouldn't be as big of an issue. But for whatever reason, people aren't flocking down there to open new salons, barbershops, hardware stores, etc.

Along E. Passyunk Ave you're seeing the exact opposite. In the past few years there have been numerous new business starts - specialty grocery store, restaurants, salons, a hardware store, bars, dry cleaners, candy store, lingerie store, various clothing boutiques, etc - with more on the way. Whats the difference between here and there? Perhaps the confluence of demand (for the services) and a willingness on the part of entrepreneurs, who see that demand and know how to satisfy it.

[gunsnrosesmz]

Along E. Passyunk Ave you're seeing the exact opposite. In the past few years there have been numerous new business starts - specialty grocery store, restaurants, salons, a hardware store, bars, dry cleaners, candy store, lingerie store, various clothing boutiques, etc - with more on the way. Whats the difference between here and there? Perhaps the confluence of demand (for the services) and a willingness on the part of entrepreneurs, who see that demand and know how to satisfy it.

Thats what I wish would happen to these corner properties. I dream they would become a variety of non-variety stores. I guess people still continue to shop at these variety shops because its just easier to walk to the corner to get a bag of chips or some daily needs. I also know that I never shop at these stores. I continue to support the same shops that I have been going to for years. Its nothing against the owners, but the newer shops whether the signs are bright yellow, white and red, sky blue, or any color, just look completely out of place and I doubt the shop owners care. All they have to do is make an effort to have a sign that looks like it costs more than 100 dollars and it would be a start.

[luchobucho]

Thats what I wish would happen to these corner properties. I dream they would become a variety of non-variety stores. I guess people still continue to shop at these variety shops because its just easier to walk to the corner to get a bag of chips or some daily needs. I also know that I never shop at these stores. I continue to support the same shops that I have been going to for years. Its nothing against the owners, but the newer shops whether the signs are bright yellow, white and red, sky blue, or any color, just look completely out of place and I doubt the shop owners care. All they have to do is make an effort to have a sign that looks like it costs more than 100 dollars and it would be a start.

Perhaps this could become a project for the LOMO Civic Association.

But I have to ask......if all these great stores are closing, where are the people going for their haircuts and other services, and why? A variety store can only take the place of a food store to a certain extent.

[Viburnum]

Question:

I hear a lot people complain about "illegals" taking over the neighborhood and good businesses closing. I ask, what are the neighbors doing to stop this? Where are the neighborhood entrepreneurs? Would the neighborhood support the new businesses? If people didn't want bodegas, they wouldn't last, but clearly there is a market for the stores, otherwise they would shutdown from lack of business.

Most people don't want the bodegas. But since the bodegas:
1. Have a built in customer base of illegals.
2. Don't charge sales tax.
3. Don't pay income or payroll tax.
4. Don't pay the BPT.
5. Don't have to worry about pesky things like L&I regulations.

It can be kind of hard for other businesses competing with them.

[luchobucho]

Most people don't want the bodegas. But since the bodegas:
1. Have a built in customer base of illegals.
2. Don't charge sales tax.
3. Don't pay income or payroll tax.
4. Don't pay the BPT.
5. Don't have to worry about pesky things like L&I regulations.

It can be kind of hard for other businesses competing with them.

How does a bodega compete with a salon? Other than purely for space?

[phillysw]

Most people don't want the bodegas. But since the bodegas:
1. Have a built in customer base of illegals.

"Illegals" can't get food stamps as a SS# is required; they can apply for WIC since it's meant to prevent malnutrition and encourage healthy eating in pregnant women and children under 5. Every legit grocery store in the city takes food stamps, not just bodegas. Many also take WIC, which limits what you can buy to pre-approved food items (no straight-up junk).

I don't like the proliferation of bodegas either. I see my neighbors use the corner store like a grocery store. But as long as these places are profitable, and until and we get better food shopping options within walking distance in city neighborhoods, they'll exist. That's reality.

[Viburnum]

How does a bodega compete with a salon? Other than purely for space?

If I opened a bodega next to your salon, do you think it would have an impact on your business?

The moment I open up, your locale goes from trendy to barrio.

[Viburnum]

"Illegals" can't get food stamps as a SS# is required; they can apply for WIC since it's meant to prevent malnutrition and encourage healthy eating in pregnant women and children under 5.

Just to clarify, it's not the WIC/Food Stamps that make the illegals a built in customer base, it's cultural affinity and the insular nature of illegal aliens (from every country). Give one a choice between 7-11 and Pepe's Provisión for his money orders and scratch off lottery tickets, he's going to chose Pepe's every time.

[luchobucho]

If I opened a bodega next to your salon, do you think it would have an impact on your business?

The moment I open up, your locale goes from trendy to barrio.

That is not competition.

[phillysw]

If I opened a bodega next to your salon, do you think it would have an impact on your business?

The moment I open up, your locale goes from trendy to barrio.

The South Philly salon I go to is right across the street from such a corner store. I don't think the stylists give a crap; in fact I think I've seen them shop there on occasion. It's a nice little salon, btw--Apsara at 10th and Christian, check them out.

I understand that having a multitude of these stores in a small area is annoying and can look trashy if the exterior is poorly maintained or has tons of ads and such. The one down the street from me is exactly what you're talking about. I hate going in there, but when it's 8pm and I just ran out of baking soda, it's convenient not to have to walk or bike to the nearest grocery store. That's why these places stay open.

If you don't like the type of businesses opening, get involved with your community association or start your own corner grocery store like others have done in other neighborhoods.

[Viburnum]

I understand that having a multitude of these stores in a small area is annoying and can look trashy if the exterior is poorly maintained or has tons of ads and such. The one down the street from me is exactly what you're talking about. I hate going in there, but when it's 8pm and I just ran out of baking soda, it's convenient not to have to walk or bike to the nearest grocery store. That's why these places stay open.

If you don't like the type of businesses opening, get involved with your community association or start your own corner grocery store like others have done in other neighborhoods.

But wouldn't it be nice if the city enforced the laws in a uniform manner? Or even didn't enforced them in a uniform manner.

Not just nice, but fair.

I'm a HUGE advocate of people taking their "great" ideas and doing it themselves, and you'll surely see me berate folks around here for moaning about "why don't they put a Borders on the triangle between Wash, Passyunk and seventh..."

But in order to make a run at it, people have to play on a level playing field, and that's not happening.

[MayfairMeat]

Call me when you guys get a store that's as bad as this one by my house:

[OldMaestro]

Why aren't there people being accused of racism here? Oh what, that only happens when these threads are started in the Northeast section.