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EMS "Harvested Cobblestones" From Red Hook
By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 21, 2011
Modified Mar 21, 2011
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 21, 2011
Modified Mar 21, 2011
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From EMS's Facebook page
A reader sent along this link to the EMS Facebook page, saying, "these photos pretty much sum up how so much of what made NYC unique is giving way to corporations. A big box store bragging on its FB page about 'harvesting' Brooklyn cobblestones to use in its window display." Well, EMS isn't really a "big box" store, but let's take a look anyway. The caption on the Facebook photos they posted read: "Cobblestones from Red Hook, BK... some being over 100 years old." They refer to digging them up (and leaving a massive pothole!) as "harvesting the cobblestone."
They are allegedly in their window display now, promoting a race in Red Hook they're hosting this Saturday, which will require cyclists "to have the skills to navigate these sections, and to withstand the rattling equipment and tires." But... stealing cobblestones from the street can't be legal, can it? We contacted the Department of Transportation to find out, and to see if EMS received permission to remove the stones from the street. We'll update when we hear back.
In the meantime, your move, REI.
UPDATE: EMS, specifically the man in the photo, tells us, "These cobblestones were given to me by the manager of a building in Tribeca. They had been in the basement for many years. Used for marketing purposes. The photo is staged."
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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