New Convenience Store - 20th and Carpenter?

[Coco]

Under these circumstances, it shouldn't be too difficult to attract the same kind of Sadwich shop to 20th & Kater. Afterall, that used to be a neighborhood hang-out too, albeit an upstanding one.

[OffenseTaken]

I knew you were being sarcastic; I think others meant it in earnest, though. (If it does turn out to be a drug front, I owe everyone a beer.)

Besides, you should never use the sarcasm button, because then it's not really sarcasm.

[torts]

They should sell teddy bears too. Because mom and the neighborhood drug dealers will need teddy bears for telephone polls after the first couple shootouts.

[Gladys]

Under these circumstances, it shouldn't be too difficult to attract the same kind of Sadwich shop to 20th & Kater. Afterall, that used to be a neighborhood hang-out too, albeit an upstanding one.

It will close by 8:30 so it's perfect, won't disturb the sleep.

[Lolly]

It gets "better."

Taken by Mr. Lolly on his way home from work late last night. In his words... "As I drove around the corner, I thought a UFO had landed."

[BrianL]

Just rode by it an hour ago - blahh!

[Gladys]

It gets "better."

Taken by Mr. Lolly on his way home from work late last night. In his words... "As I drove around the corner, I thought a UFO had landed."

well at least it's well lit at night!

[Melissa]

How can I sign this letter? Also, do we want to mention our awareness for various potential zoning violations?

[torts]

yucky

[OffenseTaken]

We have fought drug fronts in that location and others nearby as well. If a store opens with a bulletproof floor, bulletproof plexiglass interior, and is offering items for sale friendly to the drug trade, I am going to assume at the very least that is friendly to the neighborhood drug trade that we are trying to stamp out. I've lived here too long to welcome a 'ghetto' store to the neighborhood.

Wow. I had missed the part about the bulletproof plexiglass inside. That really does change everything.

[Gladys]

Wow. I had missed the part about the bulletproof plexiglass inside. That really does change everything.

i've never heard of a bullet proof floor. maybe it's one of those mexican cartels branching out. again... sarcasm....

[20kim]

The floor is diamond plating. It could have been an interesting style choice if the rest of the place didn't seem like a brinks truck decorated like downtown Vegas. (Downtown, not the strip.) As for the letter, Spanish translation could be helpful. I've spoken with several people in/around store and English did not seem strong...certainly not strong enough for convo about zoning.

[Lolly]

How can I sign this letter? Also, do we want to mention our awareness for various potential zoning violations?

Some folks decided they wanted to do their own version of a letter. And on further thought, perhaps many letters will have more of an impact than just one with many signatures. So here's one version anyone could copy, edit further if you want, and print/deliver directly to the store yourself. Or, if you're not able or comfortable doing that, feel free to PM me to arrange a meet-up and I will be happy to bring you a letter to sign and/or deliver it for you.

Dear New Corner Store Owners:

I'm a neighbor and potential customer at 20th & Carpenter Streets, and would like to welcome you to our block. I am very happy to see a new business in that location, we hope it will serve us all well and thrive.

However, I know I am not alone in saying I am not very pleased with what we have seen so far. The style of your new store appears to belong somewhere else, not here. I hope you will think again and quickly come up with a redesign more appropriate for our neighborhood.

For example, the bulletproof security gates outside and plexiglass inside do not convey that you are friendly or want to welcome me into your store. Additionally, your awnings are suggestive of low-quality and/or unhealthy merchandise which does not interest me. In general, the message your store conveys is very off-putting to me, as well as everyone else I know.

So unless and until you make changes, I will continue to be inclined to shop at Kim Van at 22nd & Christian Streets, and the new café scheduled to re-open soon at 19th & Christian. I prefer to spend my money at businesses that demonstrate a regard for their neighbors and the surrounding community.

Signed,

PS I hear the place opened tonight. So I'll be delivering my letter to them tomorrow.

ETA: Good point about mentioning the zoning/permitting violations as another reason to boycott the store. Meanwhile neighbors are taking other steps to persue that angle. Please do register your own 311 complaints. I think the squeeky wheel theory definitely applies here.

[Lolly]

As for the letter, Spanish translation could be helpful.

That did cross my mind too but I think they should have no problem getting a letter translated for themselves. All the more reason to write rather than try to have a lengthy conversation with them.

[Citigirl]

Where do all the crazy, Machiavellian NIMBY's in this neighborhood go when **** like this goes down?



addendum (edit): wow, maybe there really is something to sychronicity

I'm pretty sure this is a NIMBY thread. Just a different flavor. Instead of putting their money where their mouths are, these NIMBYs are using a letter writing campaign.

Everyone has the right to voice their opinion about what they think is appropriate for their immediate neighborhood, unpopular as that opinion may be with neighbors in a less close vicinity.

Some people don't want sadwiches.

Some people don't want outdoor seating adjacent to their house all day and evening.

[seand]

So the important questions. Will I be able to buy cheap white XXL tee-shirts, will I be able to get my supply of small plastic baggies, and will there be all non-nutritional flavors of Lil' Hugs available?

(*sarcasm)

[macdaire]

I think a translation might be a good plan. It is unlikely they will seek out a translator. I am sure there are some bi lingual community members that could help.

[The Count]

I think a translation might be a good plan. It is unlikely they will seek out a translator. I am sure there are some bi lingual community members that could help.

I really doubt that they are going to give a crap either way. The letter-writers are not their target customer.

[Lolly]

Not
In
My
Back
Yard

As this part of the Wiki article re: NIMBY describes... "NIMBY is used ... more generally to describe people who advocate some proposal ... but oppose implementing it in a way that would require sacrifice on their part."

In other words, they like the idea, or at least see a need for the thing (whatever it is), but they only think it's fine if it is Not In THEIR Back Yard.

In this case, I would be against this thing if it were in MY back yard or YOURS. (As opposed to Bedford Cafe, for example, which I would have welcomed with open arms in either.) I would fight THIS monstrosity tooth and nail where-ever it proposed to be.

Why? Because it's BAD FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE to just sit back and allow folks to BREAK LAWS when others are held to those same laws. It is also BAD FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, especially one that is still striving to move forward, for a store to be constructed in such a way that it is fortified against gun violence.

Not to mention that it's generally bad for a community to be able to conveniently buy candy and other unhealthy items when healthy options are less conveniently accessible.

Last but not least - I would love to see any new business thrive but one catering to what this one is catering to here will not. It is in THEIR best interest to recognize and cater to the customers they want to serve.

Unless, perhaps they do have another agenda?

[Lolly]

I think a translation might be a good plan. It is unlikely they will seek out a translator. I am sure there are some bi lingual community members that could help.

They have translators. Note my earlier post on this thread. Granted, their translator may not be the best speller, but I think they'll get the general idea.