Like many Long Islanders who work and study in the city, one of my daily commuter rituals is grabbing a cup of coffee before embarking on my long train ride into Manhattan. Ever since I can remember, at my LIRR station in Wantagh there has been a large silver coffee cart parked faithfully by the escalator each morning. So yesterday when I was on line and saw a petition on the counter next to the change box (where Dennis, the coffee cart owner, trusts customers to take their own change), I asked what it was about.
Dennis told me that the MTA had sent him a letter evicting him from the spot, and he was trying to gather names so he could make a case for staying. I had to run upstairs to make the train right after I signed, but this morning I went back early to interview him. He told me that he had been told to fix up the 29 year old cart after an anonymous complaint, which he suspects came from the owners of the newstand that shares the station with him. After doing so, he received another letter informing him that he was being ‘terminated from the spot’ by the MTA, and had 2 weeks to leave the spot he had occupied for 24 years. The Islip native is unsure of where he would go in that event (though a neighboring parking lot is a possibility), but he has signs posted all over the cart stating “Support the coffee truck! Please sign the petition to keep Dennis and the coffee truck here at Wantagh Station!”
My story would focus on this petition (which Dennis estimates has already been signed by about 200 people) and fight to keep his spot. He also mentioned that the MTA has been “doing this to other carts”- he said another coffee truck owner in Port Washington had already been evicted and the one at the Bellmore station was “in trouble.”
I am going to interview a few customers about their views. When I asked the woman at the counter of the newstand if she had an opinion on the situation, she said she didn’t know much about it, and that it was between Dennis and the owner if anyone. I also e-mailed Kevin Davitt, the Director of Corporate Communications for the LIRR.
We love Dennis’ coffee, his quick service, his dedication to his customers (come snow, rain or shine he is there for us) along with his great personality. Dennis has served the Wantagh commuters for over 24 years. There have been many a time that we are running for the train and he sees us from the corner of his eye. We know that he is about to reaches out to us with a cup, just the way we like it, trusting that he will be paid the next day. He is part of the relay race that we take every morning to get in on time. We depend on him as much as we depend on the train to be on time. Imagine the grumpy faces the conductors will see if we are no longer greeted with our morning eye-opener and Dennis’ smiling face. There is no way the Wantagh commuters can be accommodated by the train station’s newstand as it is just that – a newstand. There are too many customers that purchase coffee/tea at that location. A day with out Dennis will be like a day without sunshine. Please don’t take our sunshine away…..
I can’t believe the LIRR is going to get away with this… Why does he need to compete all of a sudden? Why can’t the newstand stay and the coffee cart stay and let the two compete? Isn’t that what America is all about??? Why does the newstand get a monopoly? I wrote to Sen. Fuschillo, Denenberg, and Kevin Davitt. Here’s what I wrote and response:
TO LIRR
To Whom It May Concern:
It is my understanding that you are forcing the removal the coffee truck from the Wantagh station. I enjoy getting coffee every morning conveniently at the train station at an affordable price. I am extremely upset that the LIRR would force our local vendor to move especially during a severe recession.
I think it is not only poor public relations but just another example of the LIRR not respecting its customers and partners. Please reconsider this extremely poor choice.
REPSONSE:
The LIRR supports businesses located within our stations that contribute to vibrant operations and good customer service. Mr. Timpanaro is welcome to continue operating at least through the end of the year, when it is expected that he will have a chance to compete to operate the newsstand within the Wantagh station. At the same time, he must comply with our requests to adhere to sanitation standards. We will be meeting with Mr. Timpanaro on Wednesday to find a reasonable compromise. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kevin Davitt