[Photo courtesy of Hamilton/Brooklynian.com]
Anyone who knows Bartel Pritchard Square in Windsor Terrace also knows some of the regulars there. A poster at Brooklynian is perturbed that a neighborhood liquor store is helping some of them get lit up and pass out on the sidewalk. Here’s the post:
Windsor Liquors, the newly named liquor store on 16th St and Prospect Park West, has been selling liquor to drunks who stumble into their establishment on a daily basis – with a total indifference to the standards of the community. The photo…shows two of their best customers unconscious outside Dub Pies.
I spoke with one of the owners and asked if he would discontinue the practice of selling alcohol to anyone who was drunk, as it is not acceptable that families should be subjected to drunks napping on 16th ST a few feet from their establishment. The response was that he would try to shut them down, but there are two schools of thought on this subject:
1-He would attempt to discontinue this practice.
2- It is in the community’s best interest to continue selling to these unfortunates, as it creates enough revenue to continue serving the community’s needs…I then mentioned there was another school of thought and it was called the State Liquor Authority, after a short pause, the response was: if more people in the community addressed the problem he would discontinue the illegal practice of selling to drunks that stumble into his establishment.
What a guy!
If you live in Windsor Terrace make sure you let them know this is not acceptable, unless you enjoy having yourself and family subjected to a Bowery-like environment.
Even the Bowery isn’t very Bowery-like anymore.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Imby // May 2, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Yeah right, blame it all on the liquer store. Why not try and get Farrell’s Bar closed down while you’re at it. They’re right across the street.
These sad pitiful homeless guys have been around for decades. They hang around this neighborhood because it’s THEIR neighborhood too! They survive because of countless acts of kindness by many of the more fortunate, or maybe less dysfunctional Windsor Terrace families and businesses.
I always thought they would “go missing” once the DUB meat pie shop opened for business. Marinated Brooklyn Free-Range Beef Pies might just show up on the menu if the price of meat continues to rise.
2 Ben K. // May 2, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Ah, that looks like the homeless guy who used to live at the church on the corner of Carroll and 7th Ave. I wondered where he went after the neighbors rebelled against their lewd behavior.
3 Dave Johnson // May 2, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I agree with the poster. It is uncomfortable coming out of the subway to see these people sleeping on the sidewalks.
4 dee // May 2, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I used to live around the corner, and these guys are harmless. They’ve been in the neighborhood for at least the past 10 years and it hasn’t resulted in a greater number of homeless in the neighborhood. Sure, it’s rough seeing homeless people on a daily basis, but that’s the world we live in. If they were threatening, it’d be a different matter, but they’re really not.
5 Velvet Sea // May 3, 2008 at 1:51 am
there’s a bold assumption in the post that the liquor store is selling liquor to these guys when they’re ALREADY drunk.
i would guess that whatever they buy each day they finish and then walk in to the store sober (but probably still reeking of alcohol and hung over) the next day to buy more.
6 Creamy // May 5, 2008 at 1:26 am
Why is the concern about “families” being “subjected’ to the sight of these guys? Another commenter says seeing them is “uncomfortable.” Wow! How about the underlying issues of homeless and addiction? I guess it’s easier to just wish them away, out of sight, out of mind. I’d hate for a single New Yorker to be made ‘uncomfortable’ by something in the city. Perhaps “families” could try explaining hardship, difficulty, economic disenfranchisement etc. to each other. Or, for more sanitized living, “families” should try living in the suburbs.
7 Digbklyn // May 16, 2008 at 9:53 pm
First, you can’t blame the liquor store. These poor guys are probably glue heads. I’ve seen them huffing glue from a paper bag. They come to 16th St. when rousted from Bartel Pritchard.
Second, Imby is right. For instance, Jo-Jo grew up in Windsor Terrace. His mother was a lovely woman, and he’s had a rough time since she died.
Third, if you’re uncomfortable about seeing homeless people, do something – volunteer with or donate to a group that helps the homeless; support transitional and permanent low-income housing.
Finally, as Creamy says, if you’re that upset, move. You’ll probably be upset that here in Windsor Terrace we also hang out on our stoops, occasionally BBQ on the sidewalk, shout hello to our neighbors, play football in the street, etc.