New York City

NYC newsstands may soon sell more stuff: umbrellas, batteries, earphones

May 13, 2013 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle
b_Speaker Quinn News Stand 2--Credit to William Alatriste New York City Council.jpg
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Officials said on Monday that the City Council plans to introduce legislation soon that will allow newsstand operators to sell goods costing up to $10. Since 2001, the limit has been $5, but the cost for many useful items – such as umbrellas, earphones, chargers and batteries — has increased since that time.

“We need to keep up with the times and help ensure these small business owners can continue to compete and succeed in our city,” City Council Speak Christine Quinn said at a press conference in downtown Manhattan at one of the city’s 300 newsstands.

Robert Bookman, Counsel to the NYC Newsstand Operators Association, said in a statement that there were once over 1,500 sidewalk newsstands in the city. “Today there are about 300. We want to make sure we don’t lose any more of them.”

The legislation, sponsored by Queens Councilmember Karen Koslowitz, will be formally introduced at the Council’s May 22 meeting and will move through the Committee on Consumer Affairs chaired by Councilmember Daniel Garodnick.

The bill will affect only newsstands under the jurisdiction of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, and will  exempt newspapers, magazines, periodicals, and prepaid calling or transit cards from the price limit.

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