"Follow the money" is a rather open-ended idea here, suggesting conspiracy. But I think the answer does have to do with money - not so much who is making it as who stands to lose. What people in law enforcement have told me is that trying to deal effectively with these people is a losing proposition for an underfunded judicial system. Punishing or incarcerating these people would cost taxpayers money. Putting them out of business, as they barely employed now, would simply make them burdens on the state. Therefore leaving things as they are makes the most economic sense. At least they're taking home enough money to pay rent on their oftentimes overpopulated dwellings, and buy food at their oftentimes overpriced local markets, which in turn makes those markets viable enterprises. People who don't make enough to buy actual Louis Vuitton will pay for fake LV, and in doing so will support the underground pipeline for such goods streaming in from China, which subsidizes US debt. People who can't afford to shop at Macy's shop at Walmart and the like, and thereby keep the overground market for cheap goods from China alive. This is America's downward economic spiral at work, and the problem is deeply structural. Cleaning up the street won't have even the tiniest effect on the larger economic environment, of which those street vendors are merely the basically uneradicable symptom. I don't mean to go all Bernie Sanders here but... — David G. Imber on Seen & Heard: Counterfeit Vendors Camped Out on Lispenard

Grocery is a volume business. The profit margins are small, only 1-2%. The problem could be rent, or lack of sales/customers, or both. (Having Whole Foods nearby is a blessing and a curse for them.) — James on The Food Emporium Is in Limbo

DNAinfo's article mentioned a "ground-floor café with outdoor seating"—not sure that works if someone else is sharing the ground floor. — Erik Torkells on Who’s Onboard at the Seaport District

As I understand it, the bookstore will be on the second floor and I don't think it affects whatever ground floor tenant exists. — Luis Vazquez (FiDi Fan Page) on Who’s Onboard at the Seaport District

Actually, The Howard Hughes Corporation doesn't own any of the South Street Seaport. HHC has a long-term lease on parts of the Seaport, but the owner is New York City as administered by the New York City Economic Development Corporation. — Terese Loeb Kreuzer on Who’s Onboard at the Seaport District

It was in their announcement that the bookstore would be at 4 Fulton — fd on Who’s Onboard at the Seaport District

Hard to believe a grocer isn't able to operate profitably in that space; seems everyone I know in the neighborhood is a patron. Is this another rent issue or is A&P's bankruptcy the sole driver? — John on The Food Emporium Is in Limbo

John, you're on the money...good analysis! — John on Update: Who’s Onboard at the World Trade Center Mall

This has been going in since the 80's. They get swept up, fined a few hundred bucks, then back to business. It's more agressive now. Follow the money.... — Dixie on Seen & Heard: Counterfeit Vendors Camped Out on Lispenard

Other takes on developer Ben Shaoul: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/nyregion/ben-shaoul-takes-the-village.html http://www.thelodownny.com/leslog/2012/08/city-orders-ben-shaoul-to-present-staircase-removal-plan-for-approval.html — James on In the News: Pier 26 Meeting Recap

Yes, they have lots of money and all kinds of donors for various elections to pay off. — Ariane on In the News: Pier 26 Meeting Recap

I wouldn't get too excited over this list. I was told this largely reflects Westfield's "wish list" of retailers it would like to have there (and those it has approached about renting space). Many, and perhaps most, will never end up there. Lacoste's owner (PVH) is closing many of their standalone stores aside from Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, and I highly doubt Lacoste will show up. The rumor mill is abuzz that Jones the Grocer backed out a while ago and was asked to keep quiet about it (also, there is nothing on its website indicating a NY store will be opening at any time). I doubt there will be much overlap between the retailers already in Brookfield Place, and I also doubt Westfield will end up with as many watch stores as indicated above. Sadly, I would expect that the usual suspects will all end up there: Duane Reade, Banana Republic, L'Occitane, Pret a Manger, Sephora, etc. And any retail establishments could share the fate of the original tenants in the World Financial Center: the hype died quickly and it became a retail ghost town (especially on weekends when most retailers make most of their money). New Yorkers just don't like shopping in malls, especially those underground. But hope springs eternal. — Frank on Update: Who’s Onboard at the World Trade Center Mall

I am interested in the ring - 18 K gold inspired by foil cigar bands as seen in Elle Sept. p.158. What is the price? — Corrine Powers on A New Boutique on Lispenard

It seems like the turf conversion could have been done in 2 weeks for $30K tops. Rip out the grass, lay down some base layer and then the turf. Instead we have feckless bureaucrats managing a process that involves a "new design" of the whole area, not to mention some preferential bid rigging someone came up with. Are they so bored and is there really so much money that they just sit around and concoct inane things to do all day? I wanted to have more sympathy for the Ritz Carlton residents. — cami on In the News: Pier 26 Meeting Recap

The sky is the limit only when it comes to property taxes. — BobR on Pier 40 Rescue Plan Announced

What's the occupancy limit for the island of Manhattan? Is the sky the limit? — Jim Smithers on Pier 40 Rescue Plan Announced

It could have been worse. Nice to see some variety and few things that are not chains. — cami on Update: Who’s Onboard at the World Trade Center Mall

I rather have the Ballerina up there forever than the building..just sayin'! — HH on Seen & Heard: Ballerina Mural Extended

The scaffold is down at 325 West Broadway. ExoSKELETON is the right word because in my opinion it looks like dinosaur bones welded together. — James on Seen & Heard: Ballerina Mural Extended

That's certainly possible, but DDG did pay $9.5 million for the property, so it'd be taking a sizable loss if it doesn't build something there. — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: Ballerina Mural Extended

I heard they are not building I guess this pretty much confirms that. — TriBeCa on Seen & Heard: Ballerina Mural Extended

Brookfield is more of a destination for something specific you need to get or do. This seems more of a destination when you don't really know what you want to get or do. Either place has its pros and cons. — lowphat on Update: Who’s Onboard at the World Trade Center Mall

I sure hope there's not a Food Moratorium. That would suck, like for reals. — Jim Smithers on The Food Emporium Is in Limbo

I agree with Luis, it looks pretty diverse and well rounded. — George on Update: Who’s Onboard at the World Trade Center Mall

i live on Lispenard and i am sick and tired of these people and the rubbish they leave behind! — fabien on Seen & Heard: Counterfeit Vendors Camped Out on Lispenard