Amidst the constant price-gouging of New York City’s food industry, Whole Foods might just be one of the cheaper grocery stores in town. But according to New York’s Department of Consumer Affairs, that doesn’t mean they aren’t still committing highway robbery. The DCA’s investigation, focusing on products that are weighed and labeled in-store, concluded that customers were routinely overcharged for snacks, deli items, and pretty much anything sold by weight. “DCA tested packages of 80 different types of pre-packaged products and found all of the products had packages with mislabeled weights,” a press release stated. The Union Square Whole Foods was the worst offender, followed by the Tribeca and Brooklyn stores. And this scandal isn’t new, either. The chain reportedly paid $80,000 in fines last year for similar violations throughout their California stores, but this finding is more significant—the DCA said the number of New York violations could be in the thousands. (Gothamist)
While there has been much discussion of South Street Seaport’s renewal recently, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed the seaport on its “America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places” list earlier today. The annual list “spotlights important examples of the nation’s architectural, cultural and natural heritage that are at risk of destruction or irreparable damage,” according to the trust. At the center of their concerns is the luxury tower planned to be built on the site of the historic former Fulton Fish Market, which still stands in great disrepair. There seem to be a couple of those popping up at the seaport. (DNAinfo)
If you didn’t know that New York City has its own flag, chances are you’re less likely to know that it turned 100 years old today. The flag, presented by the vice-consul of the Netherlands on June 24, 1915, was designed after 1626 ensign of the United Netherlands, which, “repelled the tyranny of Spain and founded the Dutch Republic, and which gave to New York at its birthright free government, free speech, free schools and free religion,” said the city. It replicates the Netherlands flag’s colors of blue, white and orange. (New York Times)
A family-run pizzeria has been operating as a front to sell cocaine. The Gigliottis, who own Cucino a Modo Mio in Corona, Queens, have been having a much worse summer than you—federal prosecutors just charged the whole family with importing 55 kilos of cocaine from Costa Rica. Adding to the drama, father Gregorio Gigliotti allegedly tried to fight his son in prison, as the son wants a separate trial from his parents because the evidence is stacked against them. (Daily News)
Following reports that leaders in South Carolina are planning to remove the Confederate flag from their capital, New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is hoping to rename Brooklyn’s General Lee Avenue, named for Confederate General Robert E. Lee, which serves as the main thoroughfare through Fort Hamilton. “There is no good reason for a street to be named after an individual who led the Confederate Army in the fight to keep slavery and racial subjugation alive in America,” Mr. Jeffries said. (New York Post)
