Gotcha. That's actually kind of another issue altogether; the crazy real estate prices in Manhattan. I've known a BUNCH of non-bookstore businesses that have had to close or, if they are lucky and have the overhead funds, relocate for that very reason. It's especially bad in SoHo, Tribeca, and the East and West Villages.
I personally trace blame back to Bloomberg's business-friendly city politics. It's getting so that the only places that can afford to stay open in the city are the rich corporations and chain stores. Did you know he is trying to ban independent vendors from places like Union Square? Of course, *in sarcastic voice* big business brings money into the city - AND his pockets - in a way that small independent business doesn't. This annoys me.
I won't rant about NYC politics anymore. It's just that I've lived here for nearing a decade - and was a reasonably frequent visitor for much longer - and I don't like what is happening to the city. Granted, it's nice to walk around alone after dark and not really worry about being mugged, but Times Square has become an amusement park and Union Square is turning into a strip mall. The city is losing its character piece by piece.
PS: Where could I find Ellen Datlow's comments and the petition?
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Date: 2011-09-10 09:41 pm (UTC)I personally trace blame back to Bloomberg's business-friendly city politics. It's getting so that the only places that can afford to stay open in the city are the rich corporations and chain stores. Did you know he is trying to ban independent vendors from places like Union Square? Of course, *in sarcastic voice* big business brings money into the city - AND his pockets - in a way that small independent business doesn't. This annoys me.
I won't rant about NYC politics anymore. It's just that I've lived here for nearing a decade - and was a reasonably frequent visitor for much longer - and I don't like what is happening to the city. Granted, it's nice to walk around alone after dark and not really worry about being mugged, but Times Square has become an amusement park and Union Square is turning into a strip mall. The city is losing its character piece by piece.
PS: Where could I find Ellen Datlow's comments and the petition?