First sign of Dunkin’ on Bedford. (Photo: Christopher DiScipio)
Sure, some Williamsburgers are outraged about the Dunkin’ Donuts opening on Bedford Avenue, and sure, some East Villagers are outraged about the 7-Eleven bound for Avenue A. But which of the chains is causing the most outrage? Yesterday afternoon, we asked 30 passersby at each construction site to tell us just how outraged they were, on a scale of 1 to 10. Here’s how it panned out.
DUNKIN’ DONUTS ON BEDFORD AND NORTH 7TH
Average Outrage: 6.3
10: “I just think it is so stupid because people here are smart and they won’t fall for this shit.” John, 29
10: “In our little town in Australia we fought McDonalds. I say fight it all the way.” –Jackie Davis, 56, education and Liz Yeo, 49, general manager
10: “I’ve been working here for 25 years. It just doesn’t fit in with the neighborhood. Yeah, it’s affordable coffee, but that doesn’t fit in with what people are looking for around here.” –Julie, 61, education
9: “Well, mainly because it’s DD and it sucks. It’s a signal that the neighborhood is ruined and moving away from the mom and pop nature of things.” –Zach Lewis, 27, photographer
9: “It’s a corporate takeover and no one likes that. We’re all just trying to be artists and stuff you know. But I wouldn’t say the neighborhood is ruined just yet. I mean, it’s not Starbucks or anything.” –Austin, 24 (occupation: “fuckin off”)
5: “It’s not worth getting mad about it anymore. It’s like an adolescent thing to do. Things change, they have been changing for hundreds of years. And New Yorkers are always looking for something to complain about. If you don’t like it, go somewhere else.” –Dan, 28, musician/writer, sells suits to survive
4: “Well of course everyone loves the Mom and Pop stores, but this is reality. The amount of foot traffic and popularity draws in businesses. People need to learn to embrace the competition. This fits a market, the cheap coffee, I mean.” –Paul, 47, small business owner
3: “Well, the franchise owner is probably from around the neighborhood or something, so I wish him well. They’re not putting anyone out of business.” –Miranda, 35
1: “It doesn’t bother me at all. I kinda like their coffee. It’s like crack.” –Claire, 27, writer
1: “There are a lot of other things to be outraged about” –Catherine, 25, digital media
1: “I’m going to be the first customer. I don’t understand why people are so fucking outraged. It’s just a DD.” –Rodney, 32
7-ELEVEN AT EAST 11TH ST. AND AVENUE A
Average Outrage: 7.75
10: “Especially against it because we just got one on the Lower East Side.” –Jerry and Lorraine Rodman, longtime LES dwellers
10: “The East Village is very cool. If I came back to the East Village again, I’d be outraged.” –Chris Goddard, Londoner
10: “I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t say [I was outraged].” –Dave from 7th Street, longtime East Villager
10: “I’m from Sydney and 7-Elevens are everywhere. So another one is the last thing I wanna see.” –Cameron, 32
9.5: “Let’s be honest, the cigarettes are cheaper.” –Sean, 27, explaining the 9.5 instead of 10
8: “My son wasn’t happy because he loves the diversity of the area.” –Maira, visiting her son from England
8: “I might go there if I was hungover for a donut and coffee.” –Ryan Ferguson
8: “I won’t shop there, I won’t get coffee there, I’m a local guy.” –Roy
6: “I’d prefer to go to more local stores.” –Steve Yang, 25
5: “It’s better than all the little places around here.” –Daniel Izzo
5: “To each his own. We all gotta live and eat. It’s a free country and people are entitled to open their businesses.” –Luz Segarra
2: “Sometimes you need a little variety and a couple of donuts. You’re not losing anything. They’re already building condos all over the place.” –Richard
1: “They have a lot of stuff there and it’s cheaper. It’s better than the regular stores.” –Christina Vazquez, 13