In just a few days, Seward Park Coop is slated to sign leases for 7 Eleven and Dunkin Donuts to open their stores in the Grand Spa and previous Roots and Vines location.  

 

We have 2-3 days to stop this!!

 

We the undersigned shareholders of Seward Park Cooperative and other neighborhood residents have formed this petition to address our opposition to Dunkin Donuts and 7-Eleven chain stores being brought to the Seward Park commercial spaces, as managed by Charles H. Greenthal & Co. 

 

·         We oppose commercial duplication of the same goods/products/services in our retail strip and believe we should limit the distance of duplicative retail establishments to at least 1,000 feet of each other

 

·         We are concerned about the potential crime and noise pollution that a 24 hour hangout (e.g. 7-11) might attract to the residential nature of Grand Street

·         We are concerned that with the expanding population of young children in the immediate area and the problem of childhood obesity on the rise, the inexpensive, junk food options sold by establishments such as Dunkin’ donuts and 7-11 (which advertise and appeal to children) will have a harmful impact on our children’s health and well-being 

·         We strongly prefer food establishments that offer more healthy, natural and organic options

·         We are concerned that corporately-owned/franchised chain stores in the Seward Park retail strip is inconsistent with the independent retail establishments that populate our properties

 

We respectfully request that the Seward Park Board of Directors call a shareholder meeting to address this decision before a final decision on the matter is made.

Please sign this petition along with your full name and apartment number ASAP.  Leases are planned to be signed by Friday so we must act fast and present this to the board. 

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::UPDATE::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

As of now we have 357 signatures and the number continues to rise!


The local press has been involved and we appreciate all of their
support on getting the word out:

http://www.thelodownny.com/leslog/2012/05/seward-park-co-op-residents-protest-potential-chain-stores.html#more-59625

http://ny.eater.com/archives/2012/05/neighborhood_beefs_13.php

http://www.boweryboogie.com/2012/05/breaking-7-eleven-and-dunkin-donuts-may-sign-leases-on-grand-street/


Right now we need to focus on emailing and calling the board and
management directly.  I know you all are very busy, but if you have a
few minutes to email these people directly, the impact will

will encourage them to meet with us.  The board members must listen to
their shareholders and they have been elected to represent us, not go
against us.

What I feel would be the best solution is that we are granted at least
a 3-4 month period in which we will scout for alternatives stores that
would be a better fit for our neighborhood.

With all of our resources, we can work together to attract the right
store and bring in more rent for the coop; a win-win.


Here are the emails of the board members and management that we need
emails sent to asap

 [email protected],
 [email protected],
 [email protected],
 [email protected],
 [email protected],
 [email protected]
 [email protected]>,
 [email protected],
 [email protected],
 [email protected],
 [email protected],
 [email protected],
 [email protected],
 [email protected],
 [email protected],
 [email protected],
 [email protected],
 [email protected]

If you have the time to call and leave messages for the board members;
that would be amazing!

To leave a voicemail: Call 1-212-979-1480 and enter the voicemail box

Eric Mandelbaum President 200
Carlos Rosado 1st Vice President 202
Harold Aranoff 2nd Vice President 210
Michael Tumminia Treasurer 204
Jodi Zagoory Secretary 205
Carol Anastasio Asst. Secretary 209
Wei-Li Tjong Director 208
Karen Wolfson Director 203
Geordan Goldstein Director 207
Charles Lieberman Director 206
John Ryan Director  201

Thank you all for your support; together we can work to find a better solution.

Auguste Olson

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Update::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

All of our hard work is grabbing the attention of the board!  A special meeting is scheduled for next week (I dont know when and where) to talk about the increasing opposition to their decision. 

Please keep the signatures coming!!!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::UPDATE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Congratulations!  WOO-HOO!  Yipeeee!

Because of your signature on the Protesting 7Eleven and Dunkin Donuts stores in Seward Park Co-op petition, we were able to demonstrate to the Board of Directors that these 2 business are  not what the community needs or wants.
Last night the Seward Park Board of Directors held a special meeting to address this, and they voted to give us 3 weeks to find other strong businesses that would meet the communities needs and wants.
This proves that when like minded individuals come together, we can acheive great things!
Now its time for the hard work, and I am dedicated to working with all of you to research and attract businesses that the community needs and wants.  
Right now we have 557 signatures and we are asking each and everyone one of you to help us please.
Now we must turn our efforts to the following:
1.  Forward this link to your friends and family and ask them to sign; we still need more signatures please! http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/protesting-7eleven-and-dunkin-donuts-stores-from/
2.  Think of the types of businesses or specific stores that you feel would bring added value to Grand Street and email me your ideas to[email protected]. 
3.  Use your network and contacts to reach out to businesses or specific stores that you feel would bring added value to Grand Street, and ask them to email me for more information on the spaces at [email protected]
4.  Blog about this, tweet about this, post to your facebook.....talk about it!

I will listen to each and everyone of you and chase all leads; that I promise you.
This is a group effort and I appreciate all the hard work that you have done to help turn this decision over.  
Lets stay united and attract the right businesses to our neighborhood and preserve the LES.

Thank you

Auguste