First, here is a gorgeous old storefront on Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Abandoned, yes, but beautiful nonetheless. This is how it appeared on September 3, 2008:
That storefront remained untouched for as long as I have been lucky enough to call 11222 my home. That is, until earlier this year when notices appeared in the windows that a "7-11" was coming soon. Dear Satan, WHY?!?! That's the last thing we need! But you can't stop "progress", right?
May 3, 2010: The glass windows have been removed and who knows what other interior elements have been destroyed. Will they at least keep that beautiful turqouise tile in tact?
It appears they are not:
May 23, 2010. $%^#^&!!!!! No sign of that gorgeous turquoise tile remains!!!!! I think I let out an audible gasp when I saw this!
June 3, 2010. I am still horrified by the changes to this building. Good thing they made it generic and sterile looking!
June 13, 2010. Some "7-11" elements appear across the window:
June 24, 2010. To quote Liz Lemon, "WHAT THE WHAT?!" The neon is installed and turned on! They appear to be almost open!
June 25, 2010. Holy freaking crap - they're open! And people are actually patronizing this disgusting establishment!
June 27, 2010. I am still in shock!
July 8, 2010. Here is the latest - Beer. Coming Soon.
July 10, 2010. I guess the beer hasn't arrived yet -
If you're wondering why I'm so disturbed by this, it's quite simply because I would *hate* for this big business bullshit to run any of the smaller bodegas and delis in the area out of business. We have so many of these types of stores on Manhattan Ave already. The last thing we need is this corporate nonsense taking money from the independent local businesses. In this shot alone, you can see 3 - THREE! - similar businesses literally within feet of this neon monstrosity! (LA Pizza/Convenience, A-1 on the southwest corner and Greenpoint Deli on the northwest corner)
I am guessing the only reason 7-11 ended up here is because rent for this space was so high that only a big corporation could move in, but regardless, I'm still against it. And I, for one, vow to never EVER set foot in that awful establishment.
8 comments:
This is just like the corner of E 16th street and Union Square East in Manhattan, where the 3-story vegan restaurant Zen Palette was replaced by a TGI FRIDAYS!!! Of course the space was vacant for over a year in between- I suspect the landlord jacked up the rent and it took that long for them to find someone to rent it.
This is a sad state of affairs.
Are you old enough to remember before Times Square was 'Disneyfied'? Or when Soho was a collection of artists lofts and textile factories and wholesale stores?
Before the city, no wait, the entire COUNTRY wasn't one big strip-mall?
I drove across country a few times 22 yrs ago. I can't do it anymore because everything is homogeneous and it's not worth it.
Small towns can't exist unless they adapt unfortunately. Corporations have figured out how to take over before the local store can figure out how to survive.
Trust me, the tide will turn when the latter happens, because the big box stores alienate people with their inept incompetence and indifference. It's a matter of marketing and creativity and uniqueness. The thing is, it may not happen till the next generation.
Oh what a shame! The turquoise tiles were beautiful
That kind of crap makes me sick. I live in Lancaster PA, a historic town full of little privately-owned places, and was incensed to find that a Subway was going in downtown right off the square.
NYC has some of the best food in the world. When you can get the best pizza and reubens in the universe, who the hell would choose to patronize a 7-11?!? I don't get it.
I wrote a scathing comment about my thoughts on the matter on this post, which didn't make it through moderation, but I think you hit the nail on the head regarding what real Greenpointers think about this property.
I never thought about a 7/11 that way. . .but who would CHOOSE a 7/11if there are 'real' choices of deli's, etc. .. I get your point - so well made (as freakin' usual!).
I don't think I'll ever look at a Slurpee the same way.
Serious I saw that and thought who the hell goes to 7-11 anymore -or ever??!! I mean the only time to go to one is in desperation on a road trip but to drop one in the middle of Greenpoint is crazy and uncalled for!
I am totally and utterly with you on this. I will never ever set foot in this place either. Especially when the previous store was my almost-namesake. And I loved the turquoise tiles too!
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