Whole and Bakery and Kitchen has been a fixture on the Lower East Side for more than 15 years. That may change on March 31st, 2007, when the bakery's lease expires. Friedman Management, the bakery's landlord, has said it wants the bakery out. The League of Humane Voters of New York City (LOHV-NYC) along with Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senator Martin Connor, Assembly Member-Elect Brian Kavanagh and Council Member Rosie Mendez are trying to make sure the bakery's doors stay open. With LOHV-NYC's help, the bakery has gathered the names and addresses of more than 3,000 supporters and a "consciousness-raising" rally is being planned for February."Long before Whole Foods landed in the city, Whole Earth Bakery and Kitchen was serving New Yorkers delicious vegan and organic baked goods," said John Phillips, LOHV-NYC's Executive Director. "Now, this beloved community bakery may be forced out. It's not fair and it's not what neighborhood residents want to happen. No one wants to see this place close."
New York State Senator Martin Connor said, "It is really a sad commentary that another small business is being forced to close as a result of the high cost of real estate and rent in our community. Peter Silvestri and his Whole Earth Bakery and Kitchen have been a unique presence in our neighborhood for 15 years. He sells healthy and very tasty food at an affordable price. Whole Earth Bakery was a pioneer in the East Village long before the trendy bars and boutiques moved in. I urge Friedman Management to reconsider renewing Whole Earth's lease so that we can all continue to enjoy the food and the atmosphere that only a small neighborhood business can bring to a community. Don’t we have enough Starbuck's, McDonald's, and loud bars in this city?"
Assembly Member-Elect Brian Kavanagh said that Whole Earth Bakery and Kitchen is "one of the unique local businesses that give our community its distinctive character but which are now being forced out by higher-rent and more generic uses. We need to find ways to protect the diverse storefront uses that make communities like this vibrant and livable--and in this case healthier too!"
In a letter to Friedman Management urging them to preserve the bakery, Council Member Rosie Mendez said: "[Whole Earth Bakery and Kitchen] has been a well-loved eatery since 1978 … When we lose establishments such as this one, we lose a part of the Lower East Side community and the unique culture that has been established here."
To find out how you can help save the bakery, call (212) 889-0303 or email info@humanenyc.org.
Comments (10)
It's sad that this Bakery,it's been forced to move.They make good whole food.I still remember when the guy in the bakery made a Birthday cake for my ex-girlfriend,so I could eat too,because I'm vegan.
Posted by Juan Castillo | December 26, 2006 3:20 PM
Posted on December 26, 2006 15:20
All the little wonderful neighborhood landmarks in this city , that makes nyc so unique and has such rich history are being forced to close due to the disease of greed. It is impossible for the average business person to survive now. It is this low consciousness that doesn;t care about healthy eateries, or cruelty free stores or any product or service that has humane values and concern for the respect of life of people or animals or brings joy to the people of the city. Unless people unite and speak up, call politicians ,and rally in the streets in large numbers, you'll have Starbucks taking over your living room.In the end the City will lose, because why would anyone want to travel here when there is the same old Starbucks,Domino's, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Staples etc like in Anytown USA. 42nd st is Disney world now, Folk City, CBGB, Bottom Line,Katz's Deli, the meat district,etc,etc,gone. It is moving faster and faster the high risers going up etc.It is disgusting and irreversible. As predicted this is becoming a mecca for the rich only. Before long, the empire state building will become a luxury apt. owned by China and real estate greed will turn the Statue of Liberty into more condos. It wouldn't surprise me if these greedy builders take over our parks and build. This great bakery shouldn't have to be forced out of business as this city should be a land of opportunity for everyone, not just real estate.
Posted by marilyn | December 26, 2006 8:22 PM
Posted on December 26, 2006 20:22
I am angry that New York City is becoming more of a " Generic" Shopping Mall every week .
This is disgusting .
I remember this Bakery when it was on Spring Street ,
Good " Unique " Food !
I miss the Real old New York .
Posted by Linda Obuchoska | December 26, 2006 9:51 PM
Posted on December 26, 2006 21:51
Isn't this a step backwards when we are trying to ban Transfat by law? I agree with the comment on New York becoming a Generic Shopping Mall more and more, less romance, less originality, less community, less beauty, thus less New York! This is disgusting. Money is money but blood is blood-where is this landlords roots and dignity?
Posted by Nia Garcia | December 27, 2006 9:29 AM
Posted on December 27, 2006 09:29
It seems almost everyday I voice my frustration and sadness regarding "quality of life" issues to anyone who will listen, and that is generally anyone over the age of 50, and not one has disagreed. NY, if not the world, has been taken over by technology, and gone is the charm and quaintness of NY that has made each neighborhood so special and unique.
I have never had the pleasure of visiting this bakery, but in no neighborhood has there been a more dramatic and marked deterioration of neighborhood than in the old "German Town" on the upper east side where I live. Where there once was an entire neighborhood filled with inviting ethnic European shops, cafes, mom and pop groceries and old world nostalgia, there now are ugly corporate chain stores, filth and the Doe Foundation with their hideous bright blue uniforms and black plastic garbage bags. This is no longer a neighborhood where you can expect to run into friends and acquaintances and exchange pleasantries and neighborhood gossip, much as in a European marketplace where people come together to shop, browse and socialize.
Sadly and unfortunately, technology, chain stores and conformity are here to stay. I look back at the last two decades with nostalgia and a longing for all of the Whole Earth Bakery & Kitchens that have disappeared before our very eyes.
What will be next? I think we can expect residential buildings in Central Park in the not too distant future. Have you been there lately?
I wish you much success with your effort to keep this bakery open, and we should not give in without a fight.
Posted by Anna Dove | December 27, 2006 9:56 AM
Posted on December 27, 2006 09:56
This place has fed me for years!! It's a drag that Peter has to fight for his business like this and I hope the pressure of the politicos will help! I think we need to encourage more people to go to the bakery and buy stuff and sign his petition.
And the broader issue of the blandification of the LES also makes me sad.
Posted by paul korzinski | December 27, 2006 10:42 AM
Posted on December 27, 2006 10:42
This bakery is amazing. Though I've only lived in the east village for 7 years, i have grown to really count on them for unique and healthy alternatives, and I can't imagine them not being around. I signed the petition a while ago, and will so whatever I can to keep them open - they are very nice people and they run a quality shop.
When I was a kid, those Generic chain stores could be found in the main shopping areas of the city, but places like the village were just that - A VILLAGE - a smaller community with mom and pop stores and real character. Its depressing now. The whole east village has been taken over by NYU, commercialism, and rich hipsters.
Posted by jennifer h. | December 27, 2006 11:09 AM
Posted on December 27, 2006 11:09
We at R.O.A.R.! are deeply saddened at the prospect of this wonderful vegan, cruelty free eatery being forced out of business. Places like this are so essential in order to offer those who wish to make the transition to a vegan lifestyle a little easier. We have a radio show on WBAI FM 99.5 and will be mentioning the campaign to save the Whole Earth Bakery on our next show in order to rally the troops and stop this travesty!
Posted by Theo Velene | December 30, 2006 1:21 AM
Posted on December 30, 2006 01:21
hi, I posted the first part of this into my blog, and kept the link I got in the e-mail on this in the blog for other people to read
please let me know what more I can do - I am sending LOHV an e-mail now
Leo
[[[hug]]]
Posted by Leo R | January 5, 2007 1:55 AM
Posted on January 5, 2007 01:55
I was yesterday at Tompkins Park to show our support to the Save Earth Bakery campaingn. We want to send a letter to the landlord but couldn't find the address. Please, help.
Thanks
Martha and Caio
Posted by Martha | February 4, 2007 10:57 AM
Posted on February 4, 2007 10:57