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John Brown Smokehouse in Long Island City to Close, Owner Puts it Down to ‘Pandemic’ and ‘Idiot Politicians’
Long Island Post ^ | August 19, 2020 | Christian Murray

Posted on 08/20/2020 10:49:47 AM PDT by 2banana

The owner of John Brown Smokehouse is closing his Long Island City restaurant citing the pandemic and “idiot politicians” as the reason.

Josh Bowen, who opened the restaurant at 10-43 44th Dr. eight years ago, said his lease had come to an end and that it made little sense to renew it at a time when there is so much uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.

The venue, best known for its traditional sweet and smoky style barbecue, has yet to close and he will be making announcement as to a closing date soon.

“It is bittersweet to leave 44th Dr but between COVID and our idiot local politicians, nothing will ever flourish there for decades,” Bowen wrote, referring to the elected officials who opposed the Amazon HQ2 development—after initially calling for it to come to Long Island City.

Bowen, a fierce advocate for the Amazon deal, got into a public spat on twitter with local elected officials over their change of heart. He said that these spats, however, didn’t lead to a decline in business.

“It didn’t put a dent in business because everyone hates these politicians,” Bowen claimed.

Bowen, however, said that their anti-business rhetoric has put a damper on the growth of 44th Drive.

“We thought the neighborhood would grow around us, and it was, until the worst political regime in modern memory started doing things other than cashing donor checks,” Bowen wrote.

(Excerpt) Read more at licpost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections; US: New York
KEYWORDS: akadeblasio; andrewcuomo; billdeblasio; business; covod; johnbrownsmokehouse; longisland; newyork; newyorkcity
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To: SkyDancer

No he said local politicians.


21 posted on 08/20/2020 11:49:47 AM PDT by gcparent (Justice Brett Kavanaugh)
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To: gcparent

Influenced by gov. IMHO


22 posted on 08/20/2020 11:53:29 AM PDT by SkyDancer (~ Pilots: Looking Down On People Since 1903 ~)
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To: 2banana

We need to find a way to hold them personally responsible for thier actions. They took an oath to the people of thier citys and states and they failed


23 posted on 08/20/2020 12:28:24 PM PDT by ronnie raygun
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To: 2banana

Here’s your chance to move to a more business friendly state.

Good Luck.


24 posted on 08/20/2020 2:04:54 PM PDT by hattend
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To: cuban leaf

I have read that it’s very possible that 90% of independent music venues will not reopen. I spent a lot of years working at a music venue, and have a lot of friends among musicians. It really hurts me to see them in such situations - not only the small venues that are their bread and butter, but the festivals and fairs that pull it all together for them are all gone. They are trying to find innovative ways to stay viable, and I cheer them on for that.

Yes, I know what you say, that many of them are very far left and don’t quite understand how that affects them, but not all of them are. And most of the people in the club where I worked were extremely far left, it was quite uncomfortable.

Shout out to Dale Watson and what he’s doing in Memphis at Hernando’s Hideaway. He’s doing the best he can with great music and an unbelievable sense of humor.


25 posted on 08/20/2020 4:35:33 PM PDT by smalltownslick
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To: Lonesome in Massachussets

Nope not her district in either case


26 posted on 08/20/2020 5:44:57 PM PDT by Phil DiBasquette
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To: Phil DiBasquette

She led the fight against Amazon, however, and the result negatively impacted LIC.


27 posted on 08/21/2020 3:09:31 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets ("Women's intuition" gave us the Salem witch trials and Kavanaugh hearings. Change my mind.)
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To: smalltownslick

It really hurts me to see them in such situations...


as a group, they are the most vociferous about supporting the lockdown, masks, etc.

i.e. they are getting exactly what they deserve. Yes, it’s gonna hurt, but they are responsible for what it happening. Actions have consequences.


28 posted on 08/21/2020 4:32:10 AM PDT by cuban leaf (The political war playing out in every country now: Globalists vs Nationalists)
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To: Lonesome in Massachussets

Her “impact” was just noise, it wasn’t her district, the main wrench in the
works was actually a White Male NY State Senator . Carolyn Maloney
a cipher of a Congresswoman lamented the loss afterward

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/15/ny-state-senator-michael-gianaris-defends-stopping-amazon-deal.html

My dad had a business in the area for 40 years. Basically
a shakedown trying to force Amazon to give unskilled Housing
Project residents 6 figure jobs and unionize.


29 posted on 08/21/2020 7:20:24 AM PDT by Phil DiBasquette
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