Sun in Bloom = ridiculous amount of sidewalk taken?
Has anyone else been annoyed by how Sun in Bloom, the organic/health food place on Bergen blocks most of the sidewalk in front of their store? (See attached picture). How far into the public space are they allowed to put their ads/benches/signage - does anyone know the rules around this? It's almost impassible, when they also have bikes chained to the rack right across from it.
Comments
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I live right around the corner and I never noticed it. Can't be worse than 3 women with strollers walking side by side.
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Wow, didn't take long for someone to veer away from the topic and toward evil strollers! Way to go! Nice stretch!
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to the OP: why not drop into Sun in Bloom and discuss your concern with them instead of lambasting them on the internet?
FWIW, i've also walked by here a bunch and never noticed. -
just be passive aggressive about it... 'accidentally' knock that sign down every time you pass it and they'll get the hint eventually
personally i also get a huge kick out of seeing dogs piss on the various signs, tables, chairs, etc. that sidewalk dining places have out all evening so if you know anyone with a dog, bring them along
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cyn707 wrote: to the OP: why not drop into Sun in Bloom and discuss your concern with them instead of lambasting them on the internet?
Because, as I said, I don't know what the rules around sidewalk use are - I was trying to find out if anyone did.
Anyway, if they are in violation, I'll call the community board (or appropriate group) and let them deal with it - it's what I'm paying all these taxes for. It's not up to me to enforce. In any case, it's obvious the business owners want to do this; it's not an accident - with the planter, bench, and signs all in a row, they're clearly trying to block as much as possible of the sidewalk.
I don't know what they're thinking, but with foot traffic during rush hour (with the subway entrance right at the end of the block on that side of the street), there's often bottlenecks of people waiting to get by. Making people remember your store as 'Oh, yea, the annoying place with the signs in the middle of the sidewalk' doesn't seem like a great idea, regardless of their rights. -
Christina wrote: I live right around the corner and I never noticed it. Can't be worse than 3 women with strollers walking side by side.
Or 3 dog walkers walking side by side. -
winstonsmith wrote: [quote=Christina]I live right around the corner and I never noticed it. Can't be worse than 3 women with strollers walking side by side.
Or 3 dog walkers walking side by side.
Or co-op cart, co-op shopper, and co-op cart and shopper babysitter. -
Drano wrote: [quote=winstonsmith][quote=Christina]I live right around the corner and I never noticed it. Can't be worse than 3 women with strollers walking side by side.
Or 3 dog walkers walking side by side.
Or co-op cart, co-op shopper, and co-op cart and shopper babysitter.
On their way to a bar, with their screaming infant -
i walk down this street almost every day at rush hour and never noticed a problem.
are you a large person? -
belzjm wrote: i walk down this street almost every day at rush hour and never noticed a problem.
I agree. I happen to think that stretch of block is really very nice, neat and well done.
are you a large person?
But like someone said - if it really upsets you talk to the owners, maybe they don't realize it. -
So, I called 311, who referred me to the Department of Consumer Affairs. In case this is useful in the future for someone googling this up:
The merchant must obtain a license from them to use part of the sidewalk in front of their establishment for benches and planters, and are otherwise subject to fines and confiscation. Even with a permit, 8 feet of unobstructed sidewalk must be left between the items and the obstructions closest to the curb (the bike rack, in this case).
The Environmental Control Board would issue violations and collect any penalties.
There's clearly not 8' left the way they're laid out now, so they're going to face fines if they're caught. Now, to report them.. -
only a total a$$hole would report them instead of going in and talking to them about it.
you have issues, dude.
ever heard of supporting your local merchants?
Mod note: No name calling, read the rules -
And I suppose you're a great fan of Ratner taking over public space, too? I'm sure you were marching in support at Atlantic Yards with a 'Support your local merchants' sign.
They're not blocking the sidewalk accidentally - but deliberately, and repeatedly. If it was a one time thing, it wouldn't even be worth mentioning. But, since it's clearly something they keep on doing, it's not my job to go and argue with the owners about what's legal and what's not. That's why we have governments and regulations. -
Of course they're blocking the sidewalk: they're a business, and they want your attention. But seriously, I'm sure most of your concerns could be addressed by talking with the store's owner. Why not give it a try?
Perhaps you could work out a compromise, such as moving the benches parallel to the sidewalk, rather than perpendicular to their entrance. I'm all about keeping businesses from taking over the sidewalk, but this business hasn't amassed any permanant fixtures that deter pedestrians.
In any case, you should talk with the owners. They're your neighbors, and that's what we do for each other when we build a community! -
what does ratner have anything to do with this other than the fact that you want to try to change the subject to try to deflect what an a$$ you're being.
sure, they're putting out the benches intentionally (i see people sitting on them ALL the time) but that's not the point. the point is that maybe they don't know they are breaking any laws.
given that so far you're the only person this thread who seems to have a problem with this (enough to take a picture and bitch about it on a COMMUNITY board instead of the 2 seconds it would have taken to walk in and talk to the owners) i'm not really certain what you're hoping to accomplish.
you'd rather a local business have to pay a fine for something they probably have no idea about? get a grip. you need a hobby. -
Bemis - you were very wrong for reporting them. Lots of small businesses are struggling now and you are not helping.
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urban legend:
if you say bruce ratner three times in a mirror
he appears behind you laughing
but if you say marty markowitz three times
he appears in front of you eating a plate of chicken -
I disagree with all of you who are urging the OP to talk to the business owners. So he talks to them, they ignore him, and then he reports them? They then know who ratted them out and he can never set foot in their store.
It is not his obligation to educate them about their responsibilities as shopkeepers. If they are going to break the law, they run the risk of being fined by the city, after reports from persons unhappy with what they're doing. -
As well as drawing attention to their business, they probably think they are adding visual interest to the strip. Just call the people. Place an anonymous call to the owners, and with much as tact and or grace as possible explain your concerns. At least then they have been told it's an issue.
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Wow. I've been known to be misanthropic myself but to spend this amount of time and energy on such an issue, to make it so public, to refuse to listen to reason (just talk to the owner if it affects your life so much), and to take such pleasure in screwing a small, local business is seriously messed up. I agree with others who have suggested that it might be time for a constructive hobby.
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bemis wrote: That's why we have governments and regulations.
Everybody, read this quote, then look closely at Bemis's avatar. -
Christina wrote: I live right around the corner and I never noticed it. Can't be worse than 3 women with strollers walking side by side.
Are 3 women with strollers planted there permanently? -
d_luxx wrote: [quote=bemis] That's why we have governments and regulations.
Everybody, read this quote, then look closely at Bemis's avatar.
That didn't take long. -
Well, didn't Reagan say that the nine most terrifying words in the English language are "I'm from the government and I'm here to help?"
Few remember his less famous aphorism: "The seventeen most wonderful words in the English language are 'I'm from the government and I'm here to fine you for blocking the sidewalk with those benches.'" -
they've now moved the benches to be parallel with the building.
problem solved. -
Unbelievable. You could have just walked in, had a two-minute conversation with Aimee, and gotten a straight answer.
One of the nicest, well-meaning business owners in this neighborhood and you won't even give them the benefit of the doubt that they would address your concern. She tooked a location that housed a doomed health food store and turned it around into a successful business in a matter of days, without the benefit of signage, even. She's just now getting around to havign SiB look like what she always wanted. That's dedication, and having a complaint filed against her because you think you're too good to just walk around a frigging bench is ridiculous. -
So unbelievable. You should THANK her for leaving you that sliver of sidewalk or even letting you use that sidewalk at all! Looks like there's plenty of room for more flowerpots and at least one more chalkboard out there.
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That is some pretty aggressive sidewalk appropriation.
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Shortcake wrote: having a complaint filed against her because you think you're too good to just walk around a frigging bench is ridiculous.
Well, I think there is some truth to both sides of the argument here. Yes it would be ideal to talk to the people working at SIB and ask them to consider moving the obstructive benches. I have been in this restaurant, they are EXTREMELY friendly and welcoming people and the food is delicious. I'm sure they would have taken this concern into consideration, especially if it were expressed civilly as a matter of community concern, not just someone walking up to them in a rage and screaming about it.
But also, any time people do stuff like take up a ton of sidewalks, to me it says "This business doesn't (know enough to) give a sh*t about wheelchair users, disabled people, the elderly, etc." Just the same as when the city doesn't maintain the sidewalks and they are pitted, cracked, and bumpy. It can be hard to remember that even well-intentioned people are frequently privileged and clueless about the ADA. That said, I do think if it were brought up to them, they would modify the sidewalk arrangement. -
apparently you've missed my message that said they DID modify this....days ago.
benches are against the building.
can we put it to rest yet?
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