Anything that close to the station and the thousands of units that are being built is ripe for something to come in to that space

Relative newbie here, but live down the street and walk past the 7/11 frequently.

I have not seen that the business was closed by the city, rather it was announced they have shut down of their own accord:

Having multiple 7/11’s in such close proximity seems to be a foolish decision, driven by the franchise store operators/management: they are all competing for the same business.

Sales volume to justify any 24/7 operation, the wages, the utilities and dealing with inflation all contribute to making these types of business operate on razor thin margins, in what is a relatively high cost to operate location, proving a limited net benefit.

An alternative business (seems a great spot for a bar, coffee, small restaurant), could provide greater employment, increased tax revenue, and help build community in the downtown area in proximity to Penn.

With all the condo buildings being built the demand for “things to do” will increase exponentially and it’s an excellent location (in a nice building) that could offer the Ironbound and Newark something more than currently exists

I'm scratching my head thinking about what else could exist in that nook of space that suits the situation. Whatever fills it, the city needs to help the homeless humanity foremost. These are human beings.
Honest ask, does anyone have any ideas on how to approach such constructively?

I think it's going to happen. All new apartments in Newark are being fully leased very quickly. The demand is here and the land is relatively cheap considering NJPac owns the land.

Yea that’s going to have to be my default now. I appreciate you saying that because it gets frustrating seeing it all the time!

I’m not angry, again with the dog whistle. I’m certainly not isolated. I have community, I have my people. Sorry if it hurts to have your hand revealed. Sorry that your reality is rooted in biases that you can’t see beyond. I’m going to enjoy my day, I hope you do too.

This is at least not as bad of a suggestion as the guy who told me to just walk 15 minutes extra to the halal guys on Halsey when I complained about the one on Edison having dogshit hours

The Walgreens a couple blocks up is 24/7 if you need something in a pinch. I agree with your sentiments though this is a gross perspective by the councilman and most of the commenters here but I pretty much come to expect these takes at this point.

Not a chance the ironbound has the highest concentration of restaurants, barber shops and nail salons in the country LOL where are you even pulling that out from?

Yeah let’s have a store employee making minimum wage go confront the people that loiter outside the 7-eleven.

You can ignore reality by insinuating that everyone who points it out, or disagrees with you must be intolerant, but it won't change reality.

In sure it's an angry and isolating space to be in when you've gotta consistently categorize people as hateful just to maintain a worldview. But more power to you. I wish you well.

You share this one story of a murder from two years ago and this is what? You’re justification for why everyone should not be hanging out there, living there, and the 7-11 needs to close? I hate to break it to you but drug use and dealing is not just isolated to that area. There’s a reason it’s a nation-wide problem. You’re using one offs and issues that are beyond just this one area to stereotype an entire group of people. I’m not being manipulative and I’m not bullying I’m just calling it for what it is.

Absolute nonsense. I am stating a fact - there are drug dealers and there is drug dealing going on in each of the areas we are discussing. To pretend my reference to actual activities going on is some kind of racist dog whistle, rather than acknowledging it, is manipulating the conversation, yes.

Here is the murder story: https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/essex/police-fire/homeless-man-charged-with-murder-in-newark-penn-station-stabbing/791592/

People should not be bullied off of logical discussion and valid points by false accusations of racism.

I’m regularly out there working with the homeless population and that is not what I see. You see what you want and look for reasons to hate.

You’re accusing me of willfully manipulating this conversation and using progressive tropes in the same breath as stereotyping a population as drug users and dealers, filthy, and oh right now murderers. Leave your dog whistle at home next time and maybe we can have a real conversation.

Spam account, check history.

You are out in space. People hanging on those steps are not all homeless. I usually see people selling k2, drinking, arguing, and have seen attempted robberies. One that stands out was the robbery of an immigrant man carrying groceries.

masking tape would be better imo. makes it easier to write with sharpie

If you don't realize people are dealing drugs in that area, or on Broad and Market, you're either niave, or willfully manipulating the conversation. It isn't a perfect location for the homeless...its constantly traversed and the gateway to a large swath of the city. A homeless man killed someone over there a couple years ago. We can have a real conversation, or one shrouded in modern progressive tropes that are only part of the story.

Defecating and urinating in public spaces is not a good or responsible use of the land. Public intoxication is not a good use of the space. Loitering around is not a good use of time. Again, unfortunate that the store had to close. Maybe place some blame on the folks mistreating the space than on the landlords and councilman trying to find a better purpose for it.

“Wrong element” you mean homeless people looking for a place to just be. Folks with very little options needing some place to stay in their down time. You have your house, apartment, condo, or wherever that you can chill in during your downtime where are the unhoused supposed to go? They have to move because people like you don’t like to see them? They are the “wrong element” because they have no place to live and have the audacity to find a place that’s convenient for them to be. These are people, human beings! They deserve a place to stay and a modicum of comfort just like everyone else.

The scheme is sue would get diapers using EBT which doesn’t allow for diapers or other non food items.

I wouldn’t exactly call that a scheme. Poor woman. Hope she got help.

How is this a good thing?

Yes, there is a loitering and trash problem.

Add more trash cans. Maybe prohibit them from selling lotto tickets. Have PD actually do something besides sit in their cars.

Sorry that was the wrong analogy. Y’all think it’s treating something but it’s not even doing that. How is closing 7-11 doing anything? I’m also sick of folks hiding behind the drug problem as a way to justify how they hate to see Black folks outside. Here is a location that has a park, convenience store, right by a major train station, and proper covering in certain spots. It is a perfect location to be if someone is homeless. God forbid people with very little options find a place where they can just be without folks criminalizing them and viewing them as a bunch of pushers. You’re asking me to give you a solution to our housing problem? I’m just here saying don’t make things worse for the most vulnerable.

Closing the 7 Eleven isn’t going to make a difference if the building is just going to sit empty like it was before this store opened. What they should do is open a police substation at that location.

r/theironbound