By Milt Harris ——Bio and Archives--March 20, 2024
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When it comes to retail businesses there is an adage that says the most important factor in their present and future success is location, location, location. That statement refers to its location and ease of availability for its core customer base. However, the business must also appeal to its customers’ tastes and lifestyles.
In New York City there is a Burger King restaurant that is accused of being an “open-air drug bazaar.” The restaurant, which is now facing a $15 million lawsuit, is located just blocks away from City Hall. Kevin Kaufman has lived close to the restaurant for 20 years. He alleges that the restaurant is the “base of operations” for “professional drug dealers” who consistently use the location to sell illegal drugs. As a consequence of these allegations, a lawsuit has been filed with the Manhattan Supreme Court, according to the New York Post.
Kaufman lamented his frustration with the situation to the Post:
Kaufman went on to say that the neighborhood was “very quiet” when he first moved in. He told the Post that there are now “crazy people yelling and screaming every night.” His lawsuit accuses the Burger King restaurant and the chain’s corporate office of violating New York’s private nuisance law.
“I’d like to leave on my own terms, not theirs,” Kaufman added.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) told the Post, that an unbelievable 143 calls have been made to 911 since January 1, 2023, regarding activity at the restaurant. In that same period, there were two arrests.
Last week a group of eight men and one woman reportedly blocked the fast-food restaurant’s doors, only allowing certain people inside as approximately a dozen customers watched from inside while eating burgers and fries. Those in the group were reportedly seen taking money from people who they handed potential drugs to, the Post reported.
The group was also seen hanging around the restaurant pretending to fight and yelling amongst themselves. One member of the group who was served a summons then shouted at the police, “They work for Biden. Get the f*ck out of here,” according to the Post.
Another resident who lives near the restaurant, Evan Gillman, told the Post that the group was at the location “all day.” He stated that “no one goes in there to eat.” Still, another resident who wished to remain anonymous said, that the only people at the Burger King are “poor, homeless or dealing drugs.”
Meanwhile, McDonald’s franchise restaurants across the state of Tennessee are decorating their windows with religious symbols for Easter, featuring illustrations of the empty tomb, crosses, and the proclamation “He is risen.”
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Burton S. Staggs, the news director of GM Tennessee River Valley News, brought the phenomenon to light by sharing a photo of one of the decorated restaurant windows on his Facebook page.
In his caption, Staggs wrote:
Staggs highlighted the fact the owners also recognize the true meaning of Christmas, displaying, “His name is Jesus,” on their McDonald’s locations during the Christmas season.
Religious holidays, especially Christian holidays, have been a hot button for the radical left. So, in my opinion it’s comforting to see Tony and Gina Wolfe following their convictions. It’s also nice to see that the local community is in agreement.
Many comments on social media reflect appreciation for the Wolfe family’s dedication to its beliefs.
“I’ve been to this McDonald’s and they’re really kind in there too,” one user commented under Staggs’ post.
Another wrote:
“That’s what I love about the South. Whenever we traveled down the people were so friendly and there were so many people that love the Lord and weren’t afraid to say so. As soon as we came North over the Mason-Dixon line it was a whole different story. Thank you for not being afraid to offend someone. This is truly the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in a long time. Wish I lived there. I would definitely be a loyal customer.”
According to the official website, Tony and Gina Wolfe, second-generation McDonald’s franchise owners and operators, have previously been recognized for their local philanthropy.
The Wolfe’s franchise has been honored with multiple awards from McDonald’s Corporation, including the prestigious Ronald Award.
“It’s about people who are behind the counter and people who are your loyal customers and friends in this community. It’s a blessing for us to be involved in the community and give back,” Gina Wolfe said in a statement.
Tennessee is considered one of ten states that are in the “Bible Belt” of the United States. Although many believe it extends beyond those ten states. Those people believe the Bible Belt includes almost all of the Southeastern US and runs from Virginia down to northern Florida and west to parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.
In those areas, tolerance of Christian beliefs and symbolism is tolerated generationally more easily than in some other areas of the country. I salute the Wolfe’s McDonald's locations for displaying what they believe. At the same time, I condemn the Burger King location in New York City. I find it hard to believe that a location that close to City Hall, which has had 143 calls to 911, hasn’t been cleaned up by now.
Clearly, location isn’t only about availability and convenience for customers. The retail centers must also reflect the values of the community it’s located in. That’s a great sign for the McDonald's locations in Tennessee and a worrisome sign for what’s accepted and tolerated in New York City.
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Milt spent thirty years as a sales and operations manager for an international manufacturing company. He is also a four-time published author on a variety of subjects. Now, he spends most of his time researching and writing about conservative politics and liberal folly.