RANT: Deli – Corner Store at 9th Ave SW & Henderson

[chef]

First, a mini-rave: I have waited for years for you to clean up the outside of your store, and I know that sentiment has been shared by many of your neighbors in Highland Park. So, I appreciate your efforts at putting new siding up and cleaning up the surround.

Now the rant: I understand how angry and frustrated you must feel that someone decided to leave graffiti on your new siding – it would make me extremely angry as well. And I think security cameras are the way to go as you have so blatantly posted in spray paint next to the graffiti.

HOWEVER, was it necessary for you to paint “eat *hit mutt” on the side of your own building in response to the graffiti artist? Do you realize that you are 2 blocks from an elementary school and across the street from a daycare where little kids can read that every day? You are also on a major corner that is one of the entrances to the Highland Park neighborhood and across from Westcrest Park – a highly used public space. Frankly, I don’t like my neighborhood judged by any graffiti, and your graffiti response drags the neighborhood down much more than someone’s initials. It puts you on the same level as the perpetrators.

With your business on a major corner, you are bound to have graffiti from time to time over the years. I hope you deal with it next time with a more mature response.

Share This

[pigeonmom]

How do you know the proprietor was the second tagger?

Share This

[chef]

Because I stopped in and asked.

Share This

[pigeonmom]

Wow, he’s not helping matters by responding that way.

Share This

[JanS]

actually, isn’t what he did illegal? Aren’t businesses and others required by law to clean up the graffiti within a certain period of time? not make it?

Share This

[Zenguy]

Did you voice your concerns to the owners as required by WSB rules require? If so, what was their response?

Share This

[digidoll]

“…your graffiti response drags the neighborhood down much more than someone’s initials.”

I’m not saying that what he did was right, but you should be aware that the original graffiti is more than just “someone’s initials,” it is SV13, which is a tag for a gang that hangs in WC and the surrounding areas, including the park right NEXT to the elementary school.

See this post from 9/08 for more of the same activity nearby:

https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=10497

If it got painted over immediately, they’d be back the next night admiring their fresh new blank canvas to tag again. At least this way, no more tagging has happened – and likely no more will with the installation of cameras, which the taggers now know about (if they can read).

Share This

[woofer]

Although I do understand that the word SH*T may be offensive to some folks, I think it pales in comparison to the unsightly and negative attitude conveyed by the juvenile and artless tags splashed all over our community by these so-called “gangs”. They act more like ill-mannered children and seem to have no idea what it means to be responsible and grown up. At least the store owner is taking steps (at his own expense!) to make the community look like a safe place to be. Bravo to him and shame on those “mutts”!

Share This

[Hammertree]

While I agree it was not the best way to take a stand, he’s got guts and that should be commended. The gang he covered up is no joke and he has to stand behind that counter knowing retaliation can come at any time. He is improving a neighborhood that many people want to cover up and forget about(dual meaning). Thank you brother!

Share This

[Hammertree]

Have to add, you will lose support if you plaster the outside with beer and cigarette advertisements like the store just north.

Share This

[Author]

Posts