tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21554899.post4319245366366803603..comments2024-03-26T04:26:04.911-07:00Comments on Lost City: More News on the Soon-to-Be Bookish P & G BarBrooks of Sheffieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18297071358029060908noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21554899.post-23876135037276382202008-11-29T15:37:00.000-08:002008-11-29T15:37:00.000-08:00You have a point. I think we're both basically on ...You have a point. I think we're both basically on the same side. I want Katz's to survive. You want Katz's to survive. However it survives is fine with me, as long as it retains its true character. I just personally feel gentrification (which can take the form of private parties) tends to erode character. I also feel that places like Katz's are not just "businesses." I have to respectfully disagree that Katz's is "primarily about making money for its owners instead of satisfying your personal vision of what Katz's is or what it ought to be." Places like that deli have been around so long and are cherished by so many, the city would be so much poorer if they disappeared. They bear a responsibility to the public that goes beyond customer service and the mere making of money. The Brooklyn Dodgers were a business. The organization was about making money. Yet many Brooklynites were angry and felt betrayed when the team left. Were they wrong? I don't think so. And if the owner of Katz's sells out to someone who wants to build a condo tower, I will feel betrayed. I'm sure you'll probably disagree with me on this. A lot of my notions are not exactly practical. But that doesn't mean they're wrong. There's more to life in a city than making expedient business decisions. <BR/><BR/>If I hear anything about the sign, I'll be sure to post about it.Brooks of Sheffieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18297071358029060908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21554899.post-68442894764911273662008-11-29T14:03:00.000-08:002008-11-29T14:03:00.000-08:00Well, it's not just this post. I'm remembe...Well, it's not just this post. I'm remembering your post about how you wanted to go to Katz's on a Sunday evening and considered their closing for a private party to be a personal affront. And I quote:<BR/><BR/>"What? A private party at Katz's? Sorry, but this is not right. Katz's is all about democracy. A big, sprawling place that could fit the population of a small village and where everyone is welcome and treated the same. It's (sic) very ambiance reeks of 'the people.' It should never be roped off for the benefit of some moneyed toffs. It's just wrong."<BR/><BR/>Um, unless democracy is about $16 reubens, Katz's is not about democracy. Katz's is a business, and it's primarily about making money for its owners instead of satisfying your personal vision of what Katz's is or what it ought to be. God forbid the owners try to make a few extra bucks during Sunday evening dead time. The restaurant business is hard enough; give 'em a break.<BR/><BR/>And, regarding ambiance that "reeks of 'the people,'" I get enough of that from the homeless guys on the R Train. No thanks.<BR/><BR/>Seriously, though, has Landmark West expressed any interest in the P&G sign issue? You might want to try getting in touch with them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21554899.post-59611882854892535112008-11-29T09:35:00.000-08:002008-11-29T09:35:00.000-08:00Yeah, Mikey, a lot of things annoy me, too. That&#...Yeah, Mikey, a lot of things annoy me, too. That's why I have the blog. <BR/><BR/>I think you misread the post. I want P&G to succeed. I want it to live again. My stating a few reservations about its future does not negate that fact. You mistake my criticism for censure. Not all editorial must be out-and-out cheerleading to be positive. <BR/><BR/>On other points, I know the Landmarks Commission doesn't designate signs. This, I think, is a serious oversight and should be amended. I'm not alone in thinking this. Also, I would buy the sign if I could. I would buy many signs if I could. I'd start a sign museum. But, as things now stand, I often have a tough time buying milk.<BR/><BR/>As for you're tired old proverb, I don't just blog, I do. Look at my profile. I'm a professional writer. I have been for 20 years. I blog because I find it fulfills a need I have that isn't satisfied by other writing avenues. Newspaper and magazine editors are very conservative and not particularly inspired; they would never be interested in the things I write about on Lost City. Blogs are no longer just forums for frustrated hacks (if they ever were). They are a legitimate field of written expression. At least, in my view.<BR/><BR/>Sorry this post annoyed you. I hope you keep reading and find some other posts you like better. And long live Troy!Brooks of Sheffieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18297071358029060908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21554899.post-81236385892074798242008-11-29T08:15:00.000-08:002008-11-29T08:15:00.000-08:00Despite your wonderful posts on Troy, N.Y., this b...Despite your wonderful posts on Troy, N.Y., this blog really annoys me sometimes. The owner is trying to make some money and build a secure life for himself, and you've got to bitch about it. So his idea of a cool bar isn't the same as yours. You know what? He's the owner. Until you're ready to spend several years socking away every spare dollar until you can afford to get a space and furnish it, and then work about 16 hours a day, every day, for the rest of your life, and risk all your savings at the same time, please zip it. It's his money, not yours. You buy a place and you can do whatever you like with it.<BR/><BR/>As the old proverb goes, Those who can, do. And those who can't, blog.<BR/><BR/>BTW, the Landmarks Commission doesn't designate or regulate signs. So they have absolutely no role here.<BR/><BR/>Maybe you could buy the sign? Or start pushing for its preservation? Get in touch with Landmark West--they're always ready to raise a ruckus about something, and maybe they can help broker a deal for a new home.<BR/><BR/>"It must be save"? What the hell is that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com