Park Slope (Predictably) Does Not Like New Cash for Gold Joint

Last week when a We Buy Gold store opened on 9th street between C Town and the Dram Shop,  Kerri asked if Slopers felt the hood needed a cash for gold shop. Although there was no blood on the blog screen, people weren't thrilled about it.

According to the Brooklyn Paper, Park Slope residents are really up in arms. Josh Levy, a member of the Park Slope Civic Council (not speaking for the group) said, "It reeks of desperate people. I'm outraged." Or as the Brooklyn Paper puts it, neighbors have been speculating whether the new store "is a soon-to-be hub for slingers of stolen jewelry." 

The shop's owner, David Chanukah, said this was simply not the case. Chanukah "contends his shop 'caters to everyone' and that the store has a policy against buying stolen items." He goes on to say that "Plenty of people have stuff lying around they want to sell — we’re not trying to attract bad people.”

For the most part, residents seem to hate the bright signage. They've complained that it brings a bit of Sunset Strip to 9th Street. The front store sign, which is bestowed with a huge dollar sign, golden arches and a digital scrolling sign, looks like it would be more at home in Time Square than in Park Slope. As one FIPS commenter stated: "Come back and take another picture at night -- it's terrifying"

Again, Chanukah responds by saying that the sign simply states what the store does (thanks, Captain Obvious). BUT -- according to the Department of Buildings, Chanukah has not applied for a permit to hang the sign and that could land him with a pretty hefty fine.

But that's OK, because Chanukah said a lot of "high-end" customers are interesting in selling gold. So he plans to rake in the big bucks, fines be damned.

Does  this story make anyone else feel like hocking their jewels and using  their money for stools?