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SoHo store owners tell CB2 Denim Tears block party blocked sidewalks, raised noise and cut Saturday sales
Summary
A SoHo store owner told Manhattan Community Board 2 that a July Denim Tears block party blocked sidewalks, generated sustained loud noise and caused significant Saturday lost sales, and urged the board to deny future event permits for the group.
A SoHo retailer who owns Doviana urged Manhattan Community Board 2 to oppose future permits for events by the streetwear label Denim Tears, saying a July block party blocked pedestrian access to her store, generated sustained high noise levels and cost the business sales on a Saturday.
Owner Chenlin Feng told the board she supports cultural and artistic events but not at the expense of local businesses and residents: “The event … blocked pedestrian access along the sidewalk, cutting off customers' flow ... the noise level was pretty much over 85 decibel at all time … Our store has suffered a significant loss of revenue on that day.” Feng said the event continued until 10 p.m. and that storefronts were effectively inaccessible because organizers used metal gates and hired security that restricted pedestrian movement.
Will Benish, chair of the Street Activities Committee, told the meeting that the committee “oppose[s] this event in the strongest possible terms” and asked the owner and other affected businesses to submit written complaints and evidence (photos, video) for the committee’s record. “Please send in to us, in writing all the issues that you saw,” Benish said, adding that written records make committee advocacy more effective.
Why it matters: Sidewalk access and outdoor event impacts are recurring neighborhood issues in SoHo and surrounding commercial corridors. The board’s street activities committee reviews event permits and advises city agencies.
Next steps: CB2 street activities staff asked the owner to submit documented complaints to the committee; the committee will use the material in any future permit review or in communications with SAPO, DOT and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.
