Merrick Residents Berate Developers Over Planned 7-Eleven Near School

Residents of Merrick, Long Island berated developers Tuesday night over a controversial new 7-Eleven planned for the area. More than 100 residents showed up at the heated South Merrick Community Civic Association’s meeting to voice their opposition of the 7-Eleven, fearing the chain would be a target for robberies, further congest the area and pose a safety threat to the nearby Norman J. Levy Lakeside School.

Though the building permit application has not yet been approved and the Nassau County Department of Public Works is still reviewing the site plan, the mere idea of a 7-Eleven is not sitting well with locals.

via Newsday:

Nassau County Police Chief Steven Skrynecki said an increase of traffic in the area could mean an increase in traffic accidents. There were 11 accidents in the past year at the intersection of the proposed store, he said.

But Ken Barns, 7-Eleven’s regional development senior director, said while there would be more activity at the site, “we don’t bring more traffic to the road. We just capture from what’s there.”

Skrynecki also said 24-hour convenience stores are often robbery targets, noting there have been 13 armed robberies in the area since April, including five at 7-Eleven stores. Barns said that number of robberies was “an anomaly” and the company was working with police.

Clearly Ken Barnes has never done a Google news search for 7-Eleven.

Merrick Residents Berate Developers Over Planned 7-Eleven near school [Newsday]

7-Eleven Makes Manhattan Borough President Want To Puke

If the sight of another 7-Eleven makes you want to puke, you’re not alone!

Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough President, was speaking at a CityLaw Breakfast Series event this week regarding the various borough presidents’ priorities, when she was asked a question on promoting local business.

“We have the chain stores. I hate to say this, but if I see one more 7-Eleven, I’m going to throw up. I think it’s a very important issue, particularly for Manhattan,” Ms. Brewer continued. “The other boroughs, to be honest with you, do not have as much of a challenge. Because I asked every single one of my 51 colleagues, ‘Is this a problem?’ And it was primarily in Manhattan.”

7-Eleven currently has 37 locations in Manhattan – up from 8 just a few years ago – and plans an additional 100 locations by 2017. 7-Eleven has shuttered two local businesses – that we know of – Gramercy Corner and Kyung’s Gourmet Deli by opening locations right next door to them.

Ken Barnes, 7-Eleven’s director of northeast regional development, has said “We can’t open more New York locations fast enough. Every neighborhood is a target.” 

7-Eleven’s spokesperson, Margaret Chabris, admits 7-Eleven’s Corporate Manifest Destiny is the result of the bad economy in 2008, stating that, in NYC, “a lot more desirable locations are available because many businesses have had to retract because of the recession.”

Manhattan Borough President Not a Fan of 7-Eleven [Politicker]

New 7-Eleven Pushed Back to November

It looks like the East Village will have to wait an additional 6 months for 7-Eleven to open their new location on the corner of 11th Street and Avenue A.

The original opening date was scheduled for May, then it was pushed back to June, and now it has been pushed back again to November according to the 7-Eleven franchise website. Ben Shaoul recently sold the building to Jared Kushner which may have something to do with the delay and, possibly, why work has come to a screeching halt. In the past few weeks workers have removed the flimsy plywood roof and replaced the dangerous wooden gangplank that surrounds the catastrophe corner. The only activity at the site these days appears to be break-ins and lawsuits!

So in the meantime we have to look at the “neighborhood disgrace” a little longer while Ken Barnes, Margaret Chabris and pals get their Texas-based act together.

Reminder: ‘No 7-Eleven’ Meeting Tonight

Support Local Business! Protect Our Neighborhood from 7-Eleven!

TONIGHT
Time: 6:30-8:00PM
Location: 93 St. Marks Place (Btwn 1st and Ave. A)

As you may have heard, the Texas-based company 7-Eleven is opening a new location at 170 Avenue A at the corner of 11th Street.

7-Eleven has already opened 32 locations in Manhattan. 7-Eleven has an additional 100 stores on the way!

So far 7-Eleven has put two local businesses – one in Gramercy and one in Chelsea – out of business.

Their plan is to over saturate the neighborhood with locations and remove any and all competition.

If you are concerned about protecting East Village businesses from 7-Eleven’s aggressive expansion plan please attend tonight’s meeting.

As Ken Barnes, 7-Eleven’s director of northeast regional development, says we are a “target.”

‘No 7-Eleven’ Meeting Tomorrow

Support Local Business! Protect Our Neighborhood from 7-Eleven!

Date: Wednesday April 24th, 2013
Time: 6:30-8:00PM
Location: 93 St. Marks Place (Btwn 1st and Ave. A)

As you may have heard, the Texas-based company 7-Eleven is opening a new location at 170 Avenue A at the corner of 11th Street.

7-Eleven has already opened 32 locations in Manhattan. 7-Eleven has an additional 100 stores on the way!

So far 7-Eleven has put two local businesses – one in Gramercy and one in Chelsea – out of business.

Their plan is to over saturate the neighborhood with locations and remove any and all competition.

If you are concerned about protecting East Village businesses from 7-Eleven’s aggressive expansion plan please attend.

As Ken Barnes, 7-Eleven’s director of northeast regional development, says we are a “target.”