Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Full of hot (and cold) air

The reality in New York is that countless stores, in search of a marketing tool, throw vast amounts of energy to the wind by keeping their air-conditioners on and their doors open. “It’s to invite people to come in,” said a clerk at Hilfiger Denim, a clothing store on Broadway in SoHo.

When Shops Keep Doors Agape, Think of Cold Air at $140 a Barrel

Legislation sponsored by Councilwoman Gale A. Brewer of Manhattan would end this practice and fine violators $200 for each open door or window. Unless the law forces them, Ms. Brewer says, the stores will not do what common sense says is the right thing. Her bill has gone nowhere, however, in part because it lacks support from the Bloomberg administration, which despite its own ample “green” talk has shown scant interest in telling businesses what to do.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I disagree with this decision. When I was a kid my parents and me loved walking PAST bars and saloons for a welcome blast of cold air. The cheap clothes places fulfill the same function today...

www.forgotten-ny.com

Queens Crapper said...

Yes, but when you were a kid, the city was not experiencing an energy crisis, with blackouts as regular events.

Anonymous said...

"which despite its own ample “green” talk has shown scant interest in telling businesses what to do"

That's a real crock of crap. Bloomberg loves telling people and businesses what to do. Can't smoke in bars, can't eat transfat, have to display the calorie info. He loves to govern down upon his peasants like an arrogant king in a castle. If he's not behind this plan, it must be because someone's lined his pockets.