Seen & Heard: Aamanns Update

••• I got an update on Aamanns/Copenhagen from Sanne Ytting: “We should be ready for the Grand Opening in September—final date still to come. See you there soon, it’s going to be FAAAAAANTASTIC!”

••• October 9 at City Winery: Suzanne Vega plays a 25th-anniversary concert for her album Solitude Standing.

••• From a reader: “I talked a corporate group cruising Broadway with a map of planned 7-Elevens throughout Tribeca. ‘It’s coming,’ was all they had to say. So many 7-Eleven sites on their map!” I was talking to another reader the other day and she said how she and her husband shop at 7-Eleven all the time, because it’s so convenient. “Don’t do it!” I fairly yelled at her. “Move go the suburbs if that’s what you want!” Which was sort of unfortunate because we had just met. But still!

••• An update on the Asphalt Green petition on Change.org: “There was no mention of Asphalt Green at all during the board meeting, which surprised me as when I spoke to the BPCA office yesterday, AG was on the agenda. After about 30 minutes, the Board of Directors closed the session (non board members had to leave) to discuss some ‘litigation.’ I can only assume there is some kind of litigation that is holding this up.”

••• New York Times theater critic Ben Brantley will be at 92YTribeca on Oct. 17.

 

10 Comments

  1. I will believe it when I see it….

  2. Aamanns that is.

  3. Why 7-11 in the city? Because the suburbs moved here and took over.

  4. But seriously, what’s the difference between 7-Eleven and what used to be referred to as a Korean grocer or, before that (or in other neighborhoods), a bodega? Not much that I can see, other than that the first is a franchise or corporately owned and the others are independent businesses. That doesn’t make either one better/worse than the other. Oh, and maybe the lights are brighter at the 7-Eleven? So?

  5. As a new reader of the Tribeca Citizen, I’m surprised to learn that you are in the practice of shaming your readers.

    I might have seen this post sooner if you actually sent out a newsletter as advertised in your subscription button. You know, before deciding to submit my email to your site, I read the archives and liked what I saw. I suppose I missed the posts where you pooh-pooh your very own audience.

    So I say, sir, shame on you!!

    Next time we meet for coffee, remind me to bring a Non-Disclosure Agreement. That is…if there is a next time.

    Signed,
    The reader you shamed in this post RE 7-11

    p.s. My husband, who you also shamed without even having met, might handle your comments about his patronage of 7-11 separately.

  6. While we New Yorkers might like to think we are staunch supporters of independent shops, let’s be realistic about what New York has become and who lives here. Furthermore, big name stores have always been a part of the city, what has drawn so many people here over the years, for example, shopping on Fifth Ave. just because 7-11 isn’t fancy and reminds us of the suburbs doesn’t mean we have to get embarrassed about it.

  7. I am baffled by your elitist reaction to a reader who told you she shops at 7-11. I frequently shop there as well because of their pleasant staff, excellent beer selection and good prices. Are you also going to shame whole foods customers? starbucks? chipotle? jamba juice? When I was unemployed I had to be very careful with my money and that meant watching every dime. Should I buy coffee at Stumptown instead of Starbucks even if it’s more expensive? I have never understood the attitude that smaller is better is the only way. There are many things to consider when selecting where to shop including cost and convenience. It is my understanding that 7-11 stores are franchised and owned by the people who run them, many of them immigrants, so are we to deny honest, hardworking people a chance to succeed simply because they are tied to a larger corporation (who also happens to employ thousands of people)? Capitalism is based on our ability to choose where we spend our money. Bigger isn’t always better and smaller doesn’t guarantee a good consumer experience. Ultimately, the best businesses, not necessarily the best sole proprietorships, will win out and that’s the way it should be.

  8. We are all entitled to our opinions, even Erik ( and even Jim Smithers).
    Personally, I wont buy coffee at Starbucks and I would not go to IHOP, or a 7-11.
    (I can think of a plus to IHOP tho, maybe those who have undisciplined screaming children will go there and us in peace at other places…)
    It seems that some people have pretty fragile egos if saying don’t shop at 7-11 is so traumatic..

  9. Oh no, Sheila. I think lowercase “suzanne” is going to call you an idiot now and her husband BobR will defend her.

  10. Sheila, you are right everyone has a right to their opinion and spend patronize whatever business they want. I don’t buy coffee at Starbucks because I don’t like their coffee, and I find 7-11 blindingly bright with unappealing food options. I do think IHOP in a space that has not been occupied for a long time is not a bad option for the neighborhood. Although I would prefer a larger satellite of Square Diner, but I don’t think that is happening. And IHOP booth layouts are great for kids (rowdy or loud in particular), but I know many status conscious parents would not be caught dead there. Alas, IHOP is not in the stars for Tribeca, so all is for naught.