Dan - Come Shine Your Light

[cherryblossom]

One more guess wrong and you turn into a newt!

[krakenblood]

A NEWT!!??

[cherryblossom]

......she'll get better.

[lonestar]

He is still not afraid of karma!!!

but no worries, bay ridge could use a few more empty storefronts.

[Observateur]

He is still not afraid of karma!!!

but no worries, bay ridge could use a few more empty storefronts.

Well, Bay Ridgers seem to appreciate Dunkin' Donuts, Subway, Starbucks and burger chains.

[lonestar]

I don't see why rent is an issue. You are comparing a food cart to an entire bar restaurant. Does anyone think these carts are pulling in equivalent revenue per day that Lonestar does? And if it bothers Lonestar so much, why doesn't he just get his own cart? Problem solved.

can't get a food vendors license, tried that, but thanks. They are frozen and the waiting list is years long.

and the food vendors in the city are regulated and inspected more frequently. The BIDs in manhattan are much stronger and powerful and have stricter guidelines, i.e. there are at least 7 food carts on broadway across from zucotti park, they are packed up and gone by 7:00 pm, the carts outside my office building are also gone by 5:00 pm. Wouldn't that be nice in Bay Ridge.

[Observateur]

Those carts primarily serve commuter-workers.

[someguy]

He is still not afraid of karma!!!

but no worries, bay ridge could use a few more empty storefronts.

What Karma are we talking about? Should we have a big rally about Lonestar's loud noises on Friday and Saturday nights and block people from entering the bar, disrupting it's business and have the bar shutdown for 2 or 3 days?
Maybe ask who working there aside from the owner has a food handler license, permit or whatever the hell it's called.

[lonestar]

Those carts primarily serve commuter-workers.

and you know this because .....
rather, the area I work in downtown is increasingly residential, do the research.

we have a food handler's permit, that's what it's called and go ahead rally around L* on a friday or saturday night, you might actually have a good time.

[¡Ya Basta!]

He is still not afraid of karma!!!

but no worries, bay ridge could use a few more empty storefronts.

What Karma are we talking about? Should we have a big rally about Lonestar's loud noises on Friday and Saturday nights and block people from entering the bar, disrupting it's business and have the bar shutdown for 2 or 3 days?
Maybe ask who working there aside from the owner has a food handler license, permit or whatever the hell it's called.

Wait, you can't expect the bar to obey the law, can you? Laws are only things Arab food cart vendors have to follow.

The whole CH11 piece made Lonestar look petty. But I am sure the local boozehounds wasting their afternoons in a pint glass don't seem to mind.

[lonestar]

Wait, you can't expect the bar to obey the law, can you? Laws are only things Arab food cart vendors have to follow.

The whole CH11 piece made Lonestar look petty. But I am sure the local boozehounds wasting their afternoons in a pint glass don't seem to mind.

I dont know why I waste my time on this board.

my customers you call boozehounds are not involved in this situation at all. but they are all upstanding, hard-working or retired professionals, city servants, etc.
Guess you agree with the Arab food cart vendors that we sell illegal alcohol?

why do I even come to this board, such a bunch of know-it-all blowhards!

[lonestar]

l

[Kitchop]

I know a number of people in BR who recently said "we should try Lonestar sometime" who, after watching this ugly campaign against a lone vendor and reading this thread, now say they'd go to any bar in BR but Lonestar to watch a game. All publicity isn't good publicity. We reap what we sow.

[A_Malicous_Duck]

Honestly, and you can take it for what you want, but I'd recommend dropping your current approach. To this point all I have seen you get out of this is embarrassing and unflattering press coverage. It doesn't exactly paint a good picture of you, but that's just my view on it.

[BacciMia]

i know a few guys from the national guard that just went there, but they're from out of town so are out of the loop. i'm surprised there's such an uproar about this, though.

[TheShark]

Between posting on this board and constantly harassing the food cart guy, how do you even have time to run your bar?

And yes, you really need a lesson in publicity. Your hard-headed approach is doing nothing but driving more business away from your establishment.

[north ridger]

Lonestar, you just just sound more and more arrogant and frankly clueless the more you post. If I were you I'd cool your jets with the posts here now that the media is involved. Anytime before you hit "send" on a post identifying you as Lonestar ask yourself how you'd feel if that post was highlighted tomorrow on channel 11 or in the Daily News. If this "isn't over yet" as you claim some smart reporter is going to google "Lonestar bay ridge" and see this discussion pop onto the first page of the results.

Because that's exactly what google is showing now.

[lonestar]

I know a number of people in BR who recently said "we should try Lonestar sometime" who, after watching this ugly campaign against a lone vendor and reading this thread, now say they'd go to any bar in BR but Lonestar to watch a game. All publicity isn't good publicity. We reap what we sew.

NOT WORRIED, if you don't like Tony or L*, go elsewhere

[lonestar]

so I'll just let it go, you can all say what you want, because nobody has more to loose than me. so have a field day with yourselves BRT, get it all out.
and one thing I personally am not is arrogant, but when pushed up against a wall i won't go down without a fight.

[TheShark]

You're getting valuable feedback here from people in the actual neighborhood that your business is located, yet you're so thickheaded and proud you refuse to accept it. No, you're not arrogant, you're ignorant.

"When pushed up against a wall i won't go down without a fight

No one pushed you up against anything, you started this whole mess, and no one wants to see this continue, much less end in a fight. If you actually made peace with Sammy, and came to some sort of compromise, you might actually receive *GASP* positive publicity, and people might be more inclined to come to your bar. Oh my god imagine that!

[¡Ya Basta!]

I apologize about the boozehound comment. I guess I was just angry at the morons at the bar I live near who don't really think twice about acting like a@@holes at 4 am on a work night.

That said, prior to this fight with the food cart, I didn't really have much of an opinion about Lonestar. It sounded like they have some good food for football Sunday, so if I lived closer I would probably go (though a friend of mine said he got shit from a patron in there because she assume he was gay. Not sure if this reflects the general atmosphere or just one person). But this whole fight leaves me a bit angry. I mean, You can't make a claim like a Halal food cart is taking away your customers and expect people to NOT think there is something a bit more sinister going on. And they very way the BRT user LONESTAR has conducted her or himself on here, uncompromisingly defending the actions of the bar while tearing down the vendor, reflects poorly on the bar. It makes me not want to go to the bar. I would recommend anyone who asks me NOT to go there. And you can get angry and start a flamewar with me or anyone else on BRT, but this is your reputation. Better to let it sink in and change your public perception. Because if I think it, and other BRTers think it, the public is going to also think it. And that means less meat on the seats for you.

[VirginiaDave]

She's made it very clear that they aren't taking her customers. The issue is with the unfair playing field. Why is that so hard for everyone to get?

[cherryblossom]

And that means less meat on the seats for you.

And possibly more meat on the seats on the street, eating that sweet street meat.

[north ridger]

If they are in separate markets and one isn't taking customers from the other then why should Lonestar care? Should Sammy pay $9,000 per month rent for for a 10 sq ft piece of sidewalk because that's what Lonestar pays for his 3,000 sq ft bar plus backyard (or whatever it is they have)?

[Ellen]

She's made it very clear that they aren't taking her customers. The issue is with the unfair playing field. Why is that so hard for everyone to get?

I think it is not to get that, except, I do not believe it.

In the first post it says "Bay Ridge store owners who are angry with the street vendors who have made a mess and are taking away business from them" and it has not been said by lonestar that this is not the issue right then. She herself wrote two posts down that it is far from over and to stay tuned, indicating that what 1st poster says is true and valid, and there is more to come. Later on, on the same page lonestar writes how her customer walked out of lonestar, was standing in line to get food from the cart and got into argument. To me it indicated that there is an issue of customer loyalty and lonestar is unhappy with the cart because otherwise the rowdy drunk would but burger in their bar.

As the story developed the tune changed to the bathroom use issue, clean hands issue, the "quality of life" issue, the proper food storage issue, and now it is the rent issue.

I think this is really about taking customers away, and it is very clear on 1st page. They did not think it through and did not get their story set from the beginning, or if they did and it wasn't about the customers, then lonestar should not have been active here, because she did not do any good.

I

[someguy]

Lonestar needs to stop with this pity card crap.

Wahhh wahhh WAHHHH.

You started this crap - now you are complaining about backs against the wall.

Whatever.

[queenoftheclick]

You guys seem to have some beef with Tony and are bashing him any chance you get. The man has a business. You may not like or agree with what he is doing, but he has a right to have this situation investigated. Gentile said (on tv last night) that he asked for this situation to be reviewed before and it wasn't.

This doesn't make him look petty - this makes him look like a person who realizes he has some rights. And plenty of people in the area support the bar because it is a Bay Ridge business. A lot of people don't post here because there are a lot of shannanigans on here. (LOOK AT ALL THE NEW ACCTS YOU GUYS ARE CREATING).

Maybe you will miss your local $5.00 street meat, but that shouldn't be so upset that you are name calling and getting all crazy on this board.
If you have ever gone to Lonestar, you will have a good time. It's a good neighborhood place with a nice patio out back. And I don't know Tony and his wife and they don't know me either.

[A_Malicous_Duck]

You can click it for all you want, but Tony is the one who is out of line here and setting himself up to be sued. The Halal guy isn't breaking the law, this is a fact. I'd like to point out that this is 2012, we don't just round up a posse of like minded businesses owners and take matters into our own hands. If he's breaking the law it's one thing but in this case he's not. If you don't like the law, normal adults take the appropriate course of action to change the law. This whole hissy fit on the part of lonestar is just pathetic.

[Kitchop]

This thread has 400+ replies and almost 5,000 views. Lonestar got publicity, here and with local media. They just didn't get the community support they apparently expected to get to help them run the little food cart out of the neighborhood. This whole thing has some pretty ugly undertones and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If increasing Lonestar's business was the goal, their bullying strategy and tactics were counterproductive, to say the least.

[A_Malicous_Duck]

yeah, it'll be the first hit on a google search for months and months to come, talk about a nasty SEO backfire.

[queenoftheclick]

The story on Channel 11 last night said that Gentile (or someone?) tried to have the food cart issue in Bay Ridge reviewed in the past, but the reviewers had not reviewed it until Tony took action this week and got them to notice. So I think he has been taking appropriate action, but hasn't received appropriate (and a timely) response.

As Gentile said = We don't have other types of vendors in Bay Ridge so the food cart issue needs to be reviewed as well.

The first negative google hit is 6 down....this board barely made the first page.

[pdett]

But I am sure the local boozehounds wasting their afternoons in a pint glass don't seem to mind.

I'm sorry, did somebody call me?

[A_Malicous_Duck]

The story on Channel 11 last night said that Gentile (or someone?) tried to have the food cart issue in Bay Ridge reviewed in the past, but the reviewers had not reviewed it until Tony took action this week and got them to notice. So I think he has been taking appropriate action, but hasn't received appropriate (and a timely) response.

As Gentile said = We don't have other types of vendors in Bay Ridge so the food cart issue needs to be reviewed as well.

The first negative google hit is 6 down....this board barely made the first page.

and going to the CB board with a prepared statement wouldn't have worked? bolting a fucking bench where he was setup was the only solution?

You might recall a certain crack house a while back and the fine people on that street didn't need to resort to anything questionable or childish or even confrontational. Yet with the food cart that was the only option? Sorry, not buying princess.

[irk]

I actually overheard five people discussing this thread in a pizza shop yesterday. I'd like to say that I like this thread for what it has become. And the discussion is valid: a brick wall of ignorance vs. common sense and decency.

[bklyngirl]

Really QOTC, you keep changing the thread title -- why? It's still on topic, so you just look childish trying to change it so it disappears onto page 2 or 3 of a google search. gimme a break.

[A_Malicous_Duck]

not to mention changing the thread title wont do dick for the google results, this will come up as one of the first hits of any number of google searches that involve things like bayridge, bar, sports bar, halal, lonestar and so on. It will stay a lasting record for a very long time.

[Observateur]

She's made it very clear that they aren't taking her customers. The issue is with the unfair playing field. Why is that so hard for everyone to get?

"Unfair playing field" implies that one party is disadvantaged. Are you saying that the problem isn't that they're taking her customers, but that the carts are making money?

Speaking of those allies in general:

If I have a problem with a city statute or code I deal with the city. I don't take personal/physical action v. someone who's licensed and relying on those laws. I would not, say, bolt iron planters into the gutter to keep street parkers from edging near my driveway. I would not use DIY "street" methods or intimidation to stifle a legal business that bothered me. I would not threaten to re-harass a third party if the LAW wasn't reformed fast enough for me.

If that behavior were right for me it must be right for everyone ... and what a grim world that would be.

I also would feel silly doing as some have done -- complaining that the cart harms local brick/mortars -- when that small area is loaded with chain joints that sell donuts, bagels, coffee, hamburgers, chicken, sandwiches, et al, none of which the cart sells. They thus directly compete with the B&M bagel place, coffee shops ... and anything else, really. (Presumably, those chains or their landlords are unprotestable.)

I would not assume that people will eat whatever lands in front of them and that -- if there's no cart -- they'll eat my B&M sushi or pork sandwiches and aren't sick of bagels and pizza.

I WOULD distinguish between my arguments and the methods I used to promote them. Too often, what "feels" good and holy is the worst possible thing to do.

[queenoftheclick]

Sorry Dave taught me that one. You have to figure I picked up some BRT mannerisms after all this time.

And bklyngirl the "looking childish" comment doesn't work after a woman is 30.

[A_Malicous_Duck]

oh please, i've seen better attempts at spam from fucking bots, leave it to the pros or study up some princess.

[queenoftheclick]

dumb duck

[A_Malicous_Duck]

awwww not so much fun to click on anymore? you might also find it interesting to know that with the bot that showed up today has a shit ton of useless data fed back to those url in it's sig. Some randomized browser headers and some simple script sent 100k+ impressions of useless information back to those sites and considering the cost of their cookies firing off each time with another batch of garbage being fed into is wasting someones ad budget really quick. Not saying you are behind them, but i figured you all people would find it interesting.

[queenoftheclick]

Nah I don't have anything to do with them, but I have gotten rid of a few of them. Remember there was a dentist who was spamming brt? I contacted the dentist on twitter and he told me he paid a low budget company ($50) to give him 100 new links so he could improve his google score. He asked them to stop leaving the links on this board for his office.

[Observateur]

You guys seem to have some beef with Tony and are bashing him any chance you get. The man has a business. You may not like or agree with what he is doing, but he has a right to have this situation investigated.

I don't know Tony from a hole in the wall, and-but you're right: I have a problem with what he and others have done -- the amazingly lackadaisical attitude toward bench-bolting (a/k/a strategic vandalism), punishing a cart owner for city regs, creating an idiotic schoolyard siege, pitching contradictory throw-the-kitchen-sink-at-them "reasons" and general smearing/bullying behavior.

This doesn't get a pass just because someone's local or owns a business. If it IS acceptable then I can expect it whenever someone has a beef, we all can do it, and I'm definitely living in the wrong place.

[A_Malicous_Duck]

Nah I don't have anything to do with them, but I have gotten rid of a few of them. Remember there was a dentist who was spamming brt? I contacted the dentist on twitter and he told me he paid a low budget company ($50) to give him 100 new links so he could improve his google score. He asked them to stop leaving the links on this board for his office.

Oh and you haven't checked on my server lately.....they raised my rates so I had to move my blog to cheap godaddy. I was too lazy to do it, so I had some kid on http://fiverr.com do it for $5.00 I bet you will find that site interesting.

almost as much as the lost rev eh???

but it is interesting to note that you suddenly seem to know the lingo, how is that? couple months back you swore up and down you knew nothing about these things... wonders never cease eh?

[queenoftheclick]

OB - the situation needs a bit more understanding. Why? Because Gentile said on television last night that he asked for this situation to be reviewed and it wasn't.

So Tony tried to take the correct measures and the situation was ignored/put off and not handled by whoever was suppose to review it. Hence, he was probably saying to himself WTF?! You see he's pretty invested here. And he shouldn't have to think about paying an attorney to fight this fight. If those carts were on 3rd Avenue, the situation would not exist because the 3RD Avenue Merchants are pretty strong. The 5th Avenue Merchants don't have as much power because there's a lot more stores on 5th.

And OB you were very concerned about bullying.......it's bullying when a bunch of nameless people say nonsense online and make up new accts to throw cheap shots online.


Dave - it doesn't take a mental giant to learn one term...that's why I am the clicking queen.

[A_Malicous_Duck]

oh, sorry, here i was thinking you worked for a bottom feeder ad agency that specialized in remnants. please accept my deepest apologies.

[Observateur]

OB - the situation needs a bit more understanding. Why? Because Gentile said on television last night that he asked for this situation to be reviewed and it wasn't.

So he took it out on the cart guy instead of protesting those who ignored him and demonstrating on their sidewalks.
I have no "understanding" for that.

[A_Malicous_Duck]

Don't like a crack house? - make a stink at the CB
Don't like the bar on 93rd? - make a stink at the CB
Don't like the Halal cart and are being ignored by your local reps? - Bolt a bench down...

[Ellen]

OB - the situation needs a bit more understanding. Why? Because Gentile said on television last night that he asked for this situation to be reviewed and it wasn't.

So Tony tried to take the correct measures and the situation was ignored/put off and not handled by whoever was suppose to review it. Hence, he was probably saying to himself WTF?!

I did not watch tv last night, so I am assuming Gentile meaning the politician asked to have it reviewed? If so, then was it said that he wanted it to be reviewed back in 2009?

Because back in 2009 when the merchants were trying to get the food cart out, Gentile did not get very far. The merchants turned to him for help and he tried, but hit a stonewall, as I said before.


So wait QOTC, a while ago I rented an apartment next to a very noisy restaurant, I was not aware the place was that loud before I moved in. I tried nicely to get them to be quiet, asked for help Gentile, Golden 68th pct etc. I called 311 and filed numerous complaints and asked CB10 for help as well. Nothing worked and I moved out because you could not sleep when they had a party there and they did it every night.
So when the legal way failed, should I go WTF and take on "Tony lonestar" approach and start breaking their windows, perhaps? I was pretty invested in my apartment, you know, moving cost, broker fees etc.

[pdett]

I did not watch tv last night, so I am assuming Gentile meaning the politician asked to have it reviewed?

Local merchants from a new group called Save Our Streets, led by Lone Star bar owner Tony Gentile,