Photo by Avi.
December 19, 2012 Weather: Mostly Sunny with Wind, High of 46 Degrees.
Notices:
Free concerts are on our calendar.
News:
Christmas Tree street vendors are complaining that big box stores are stealing their business by undercutting their prices. “Diana Marmolejo, who hawks Yuletide greenery at 97th Street and Columbus Avenue, said her sales are down 30 percent since some of her once-loyal customers began buying at a nearby Whole Foods instead.” (NY Post)
Speaking of chain stores, they’re still proliferating like mad in NYC, led by Dunkin Donuts. “According to the Center, there was a 2.4 percent increase in the total number of chains in the city last year—up from the 1.8 percent growth in the last two years. Now there are 7,190 outposts for 310 retailers in town while last year there were just 7,019.” (Gothamist)
Local City Council candidate Marc Landis is interviewed in this segment about gun control and the Upper West Side Newtown vigils. (HLN)
Last chance to send comments to the DEC about fracking regulations. (30 Days of Fracking Regs)
I am just fine with bricks and mortar based UWS businesses who are here year-round selling us our Christmas trees. Does the fact that people come here from out of town and set up rent-free ad-hoc pop-up businesses on City owned sidewalks selling items with a 5X mark-up bother anyone? Maybe I’m being cynical, but I would not be shocked to learn that no income taxes are remitted here before these nice folks return to Canada on Dec 25 after also doing business here rent-free. If I’m wrong, please tell me.
Agree with you Ken. Good points.
I have no sympathy for these people who show up and charge super high prices. It’s business; lower your prices. That’s how it works. And if these people are evading taxes they should be prosecuted and pursued civilly.