Closing Bell: City Closes Longtime Ft. Greene Biz
Last week Fort Greene-Clinton Hill Patch reported that the DOB had shut down F+S Tires, which has been on the corner of Fulton and South Oxford for 26 years, because it didn’t have an appropriate Certificate of Occupancy and had racked up around $25,000 in fines. Today Councilwoman Tish James sent out a press release…
Last week Fort Greene-Clinton Hill Patch reported that the DOB had shut down F+S Tires, which has been on the corner of Fulton and South Oxford for 26 years, because it didn’t have an appropriate Certificate of Occupancy and had racked up around $25,000 in fines. Today Councilwoman Tish James sent out a press release saying saying she was in support of F+S’s owners, who “arrived before the recent renaissance” in the area and are now “struggling for survival amid specialty food shops, real estate offices and boutiques.” A hearing about the violations is scheduled for the middle of next month. GMAP
Agree entirely with Signofthetimes.
This is a good, useful store in FG. Nice people offering a practical service, and entirely reasonable for it to be where it is.
I find it sad and have no doubt that it will be replaced by something a lot less practical.
I like some things Tish says, I don’t like other things she says. I am glad she defended this business.
We appreciate the lively discussion. A few points–
1). It is standard councilmember-ing to write support letters to City agencies (and offer other types of support- in this case assist in addressing violations) for struggling local businesses.
2). Lending support to a long-time small business does not mean that a politician is anti-new-business. We happen to like coffee shops and specialty food shops. We’re passionately pro-snacking.
3). Tish is a strong advocate for Community Roots, and we have a great relationship with that school. She’s all for their expansion and continued development- but not at the cost of removing resources from another school.
4). If you’d like the learn more about Tish and what she’s doing, you can head over to her blog here: http://teamtish.blogspot.com/. We promise as soon as she announces her ambition to seek a position as Speaker-Congressional-District Attorney-Ruler of the Universe we’ll post it here first.
Irrespective of the code violations, the location for this venue is not ideal. There is no off site parking so customers often double park on this stretch that is already bumper to bumper traffic. Perhaps a more proactive measure on Tish’s part would be to find an alternate location for this business with agreeable rental terms, and a location that is easier access by car. If this place does truly have a loyal customer base, the establishment will continue to do business at a nearby location.
I love Google Maps as much as the next person, but it’s not the best way to determine the character of the establishment. As someone who bikes and drives in Fort Greene, I’ve never felt any animosity or irritation towards these guys – the shop has been a lively, friendly part of Fulton street, and a nice touchstone of the neighborhood’s history and and character. I’m glad Tish James is invovled – what are elected officials for if not to go to bat for local business owners and residents in their constituency?
There used to be a great place like this on Franklin St. You had to bang pretty loudly on the door becuase Hector and his 90 yr old mom were usually in the shop snoozing. Once I buckled my rim on the Major Douchebag Expressway and the tire wouldn’t seal – constantly deflating. Hector bashed it back into shape with a hammer for $5. Its been fine ever since. But charging those prices – he wasn’t going to last.
What Big Jugs said.
I love Tish James for standing up against the atlantic yards, fighting the high rise buildings and irresponsible developers in our area and many other reasons. This tire shop should have the right to fix the violations and stay in business. They are great guys, provide a service to the community, and I would hate to see them replaced. And Tish James does not hate white people, come on..
Thank you Tish James for standing up for the long-time residents of our community.
How are ‘specialty food shops, real estate offices and boutiques’ to blame for this? They’re not in competition with a flat fix. If I get a flat I don’t head for a real estate office. What a ridiculous and ill-considered quote.
I like these guys and have been to their shop several times, but we’re all subject to the same laws of operation. Like my mama used to tell me: if you can’t play by the rules…
What’s with the flood of negativity. Tish James is one of the more progressive and level-headed members of the council. All members write ridiculous letters supporting their residents and businesses, it’s part of the job. Most go on to grandstand and and block any change on pure NIMBY grounds. On the major policy votes Tish has voted for the silent majority instead of catering to the vocal minority. She fought Atlantic Yards even when they fooled other pols with fake local jobs and nonexistent affordable housing. She also voted for congestion pricing which would be a big help to the MTA budget right about now. If you want to criticize a vote of hers, go ahead but she deserves better than to be verbally spat on by you.