[The War on Fun by Wilfrid: January 17, 2011]
Following the recent announcement that Mercadito Cantina plans to close, citing the lack of a liquor license. Instead, they've offered "Tric-quila"-based cocktails, using a tequila-style cordial which is actually a type of sake, and therefore a wine. What ludicrous hoops honest businesses have to jumpt through in this town.
Heartening, however, to see a response - albeit unofficial - to the mean-spirited good riddance comments from some of the nimby die-hards. A letter purportedly from a Mercadito employee, published today by E.V. Grieve. It tells some hard truths:
"I grew up here in the East Village. My Dad's from here too... A lot of us are from the area and the owner and mgmt were really cool about hiring us back during off time between semesters to make some extra cash. To wish us gone or to say we were some kind of bad thing for the community is just wrong.
I know for a fact that Cantina often donated food and gift certificates to many local schools and fund-raising events. I know because I got to serve at some of those events...
A bunch of us got to go to the CB3 meeting when we applied for a full license the second time. Our manager and one of the owners went up there and basically got yelled at by the ladies who ran the meeting. I really felt they were really confrontational and disrespectful at certain points. Almost looking for a fight...
We are going to close and a lot of us will probably be unemployed for a while before we get another job. But, the real losers are CB3 and the community. Whether you realize it or not is another story."
There's some testimony. Read the extended letter at E.V. Grieve.
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