It looks like the community is coming together to help Bread Stuy reopen! There are several fundraisers planned in the next couple of days. These details are from the info page on Facebook:
SATURDAY, February 6th – Lab 24/7 – 247 Stuyvesant Avenue 9 pm – 2 am
SUNDAY, February 7th – Super Bowl Party at Peaches 393 Lewis Avenue 6:30 pm $10 suggested donation. Apportion of the food and drink proceeds will go directly to Bread Stuy
MONDAY, February 8th – Cocktails, Concert and Community at Akwaaba Mansion featuring: Gregory Porter, Malesha Jessie, and Knewdles and Sos 7-10 pm $20
Please visit the Save Bread Stuy!!! Facebook page and show your support!
Is it true that Bread Stuy was closed because of failing to pay sales taxes? If so, why are fundraisers being held to compensate for shady business practices? If not, please set the record straight!
Also be sure to address the allegations of Bread Stuy’s obvious unequal treatment of their black customers.
I don’t think I read anything that clearly stated which taxes they failed to pay. I think it is difficult for small businesses trying to navigate the byzantine tax system in this city, so I have some sympathy for the owners. Here’s an article on it:
http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2010/02/08/2010-02-08_bedstuy_bakes_up_dough_to_save_eatery.html
As for the discrimination, I’ve never heard anyone say that they did not treat their black customers well. Any business here that discriminates against any group of patrons probably wouldn’t stay in business too long!
I will say I am not a fan of Bread Stuy as far as the quality of food they serve goes, but I have never experienced or witnessed any discrimination at all. I find most of the staff to be extremely friendly and helpful-they’re pretty much the reason that keep me going there despite not caring too much for their goods.
I must say I am quite amazed at the outpouring of support from the neighborhood to help keep a dump like Bread Stuy in business when the community doesn’t even have a convenient grocery store with fresh vegetables. I would think that health would be a priority over over-priced coffee and stale pastries, but then again I guess I should consider the source — an impoverished, uneducated, community that tries to pass itself off as being the picturesque home of the upper middle class black family.
Whenever I go to the Macon Library, I stop in to Bread-Stuy for a good read and a coffee. Like T, I don’t much care for the food, but the people – patrons and staff – make it a cozy, homey place. I hope they take this time to rework their business plan so this doesn’t happen again.
I visited the store on once and felt like my business was not as much of a priority as the white customers who came in after me. it could be that the staff was just more familiar with them than with me, but, I have heard other people say the same thing, and I am hoping that someone else who has experienced this will speak up.
BTW, paying sales taxes is part of doing business no matter how complex it may be. It is the responsibility of the business owner to make sure they can handle that responsibility BEFORE opening a business. not after.
I was in the area and went to Bread Stuy to sample their cake. I purchased a red velvet and possibly a carrot cake. The carrot cake was delicious. The red velvet was under cooked, did not have any flavor, but it was very red. I don’t believe the cake baker actually tasted the red velvet before it was sold.
The service was wonderful (I am black, and yes, I voted for Obama) and I like the seating space. Bread Stuy has a good “vibe”. I hope they will re-open because I would like to return. Main obstacle: I reside in Ditmas Park, which is located within Flatbush.