UN-GENTRIFICATION: FORMER GOURMET GARAGE BECOMING 7-ELEVEN (UPDATED)
In the process known as gentrification, people and stores deemed undesirable are forced out of a neighborhood in favor of higher-end stores and wealthier folk.
But what about un-gentrification?
Our tipster Sharon sent us word that the Gourmet Garage on Broadway between 96th Street and 97th Street that closed last year will be replaced (at least in part) by a new 7-Eleven. Sharon said she spoke to at least three people at the construction site who confirmed that it will take part of the space. It’s unclear who will take the other part.
Update: 7-Eleven confirmed to us that it will be opening, probably towards the end of July.
7-Eleven’s corporate folks haven’t gotten back to us, and a manager at a nearby store hadn’t heard about a new store opening. 7-Eleven has opened two Upper West Side stores in the past couple of years, at 93rd and Amsterdam and 89th and Columbus.
Photo by Sharon.
The ebb and flow…it may save us yet(and I’ve never been in a 7-11 in my life.
Something has to be done to put a stop to this. 7-11 is not a suitable alternative to small and family-run markets and bodegas. Boycott 7-11!!
It’s horrifying what’s happening to this neighborhood (B’way between 96th & 110). First Americana deli closes after 21 years then the awful news that this shuckster from Texas is going to turn The Metro into a nightmarish “Hipsterplex” and now this. Bummer.
Oh no! Say it isn’t true! A butcher, a fish monger something we could really use in the neighborhood, perhaps an old fashion NYC deli where I can get a decent pastrami sandwich…….
Ugh! There are only a few things that would be worse than 7-11, a cell phone store, a bank, or another Duane Reade. With our luck one of those will probably be going in next to the 7-11.
7-11 traditionally pulls in customers by offering relatively cheap gas; once they have you inside, there is overpriced milk, beer, candy and other items. But Walgreen’s next door to the expected 7-11 already carries these items at acceptable (?) prices. This 7-11 won’t have gas pumps, so what’s the point? Please don’t let it be 124 oz Slurpies!
I am appalled that a 7-11 should move into the Gourmet Garage space. the lack of commitment to local merchants is disgraceful.
Margaret…when you say the committment to local merchants is disgraceful, I presume you’re talking about landlords. And while I may not disagree with you, a landlord makes an investment in real estate to make money. He or she has no moral responsibility. I would love a kinder and gentler world, but that’s not life in our billion dollar big top. It’s virtually inmpossible for a mom & pop to get (or renew) a lease. Why? Duane Reade and 7-11 have very deep pockets and landlords love banks…they always pay their rent and they’re no problem operations. Following the closing of Jake’s a few years back, someone we know wanted to be a “fish monger” and open a market. But nowhere along Broadway above 86th Street, could he get a lease and one of the primary reasons for that was “fish smell.” Stephen J. Gould once wrote that, along with evolution, there’s devolution. Well, I’m afraid that’s what we’re going through now. On the silver lining side of the cloud, real estate in out fair city has, throughout time, had its up and downs. Just remember – don’t buy at the top.
How about we talk about the elephant in the room. Our commercial map is changing because our population is changing, what used to be European tourists shopping and dining in our neighborhood is now homeless and addicts being housing in the formerly illegal hotels. You always find 7-11s near populations of low-income residents, they were watching, and they know that is what are new populations wants, 40-ouncers as opposed to lettuce. Look at all the problems the 7-11 on Amsterdam has, now we will have the same problems at Broadway and 96th. Nice work Gale Brewer, you could not be termed-out soon enough.
just like the man said in the NY Times – welcome to suburbia , folks! keep an eye out for drive through banks and fast food outlets. That it has come to this…..
I hated gormet garage so I’m glad it is gone. And I love a slurpee on a hot day so I am fine with 7-11. I am also a huge fan of the new Westside Market. I think the area between 96th & 110th has improved in the 10 years I have lived here. Looking forward to more changes.
Y’all seriously need to chill out. Perhaps go down to 7-11 on the Ams and pick up a Slurpee. It is not like the freakin world is coming to an end. An no – its not all poor people and minorities who go to 7-11. I for one love 7-11 and wish we had more in the hood.
Anna: I almost got shot in front of the 7-11 on Amsterdam! Scary corner after dark, I now avoid it like the plague. Just as I was standing there with my dog, waiting for my husband and big gulp, some people were suddenly getting out of cars, running from the govt, housing bldg on the corner, and fighting in the street, quickly joined by some friends who ran out from the 7-11… and then someone shot a gun (this was at least a year ago). Anyway, there are ALWAYS scary people in and around that 7-11. I don’t want it at 96th and Bway, I guarantee it will attract trouble, at the very least there will be a hobo or 2 making their home at the door of this place.
You get stores a neighbourhood supports. Some complain landlords are driving out more worthy boutique, independent, mom-and-pop restaurants and shops. I think that complaint misses the mark. Are rents on the Upper West Side as high as in trendier downtown neighbourhoods where such independent boutiques and top-notch restaurants exist? I doubt it. The Upper West Side doesn’t suffer under the oppressive tenure of ill-intentioned landlords; it suffers from a population unable to support the kind of shops and outlets people writing here seem to crave.