UPDATE: Coffee vendors Adrian and Catalin Manmanole have successfully reclaimed their prime coffee cart location at 66 St and Columbus in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. After facing an unexpected displacement due to construction, the brothers fought back to restore their beloved spot, where they have served New Yorkers for 30 years.
Earlier today, the Manmanole brothers expressed their distress over a heavy concrete flower planter that blocked their access to the corner where they have served coffee since 1994. “One day after we left, they moved the pots, they marked us illegal. Now we cannot park anymore,” Adrian explained to Eyewitness News. This sudden change forced them to relocate further down the street, impacting their business significantly.
The brothers reported that their new location, beneath scaffolding, was less visible and accessible. “This spot is too far from the corner, too far from the subway, too far from everything. It’s killing my business, we make not even half,” Catalin lamented. Their loyal customers echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the community’s reliance on the brothers for quality service and fresh food.
When the Manmanole brothers reached out to 7 On Your Side, the situation took a turn. Officials from 2 Lincoln Square, who managed the construction site, initially refused to move the planters, stating they didn’t want the cart near the building’s entrance. However, after Eyewitness News contacted the city for clarification, the NYC Department of Transportation confirmed that it generally disapproves of actions that displace legally operating vendors.
In a swift response to the media attention, 2 Lincoln Square reconsidered their stance, stating support for small businesses and acknowledging the vendor’s role in the neighborhood. Within 24 hours, the coffee cart was restored to its original location, much to the relief of regular customers.
One frequent patron, a postal worker, expressed joy at the return, stating, “I was missing them, I didn’t know where they went, I finally found them.” The brothers shared their gratitude, echoing the community’s sentiment: “Definitely 7 is on our side, thank you.”
This incident highlights the critical role of street vendors in New York City and the need for community support to protect small businesses. As the Manmanole brothers resume serving their loyal customers from their iconic corner, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by small business owners in urban environments.
