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CHAPPAQUA, N.Y.Throughout Chappaqua, rumors are swirling that DAgostinos, the only grocery store in Chappaqua, has been sold to Walgreens and residents are upset about it. One citizen, Debby Glickman, turned anger into action when she created a petition in early August to try and keep a grocery store in Chappaqua.
Ive been here 15 years and Ive always liked the idea that everything is very convenient, said Glickman. It was so obvious to me that if we had lost our grocery store to another pharmacy that would be a real problem for this community. I didnt think anyone knew about it and thats what I found out when I put the petition out there.
After just a few weeks, Glickman has received more than 500 signatures and expects to receive a lot more in the upcoming weeks.
Basically, I went online and put this petition together just really to get awareness out there and just to make sure everyone supported what I was thinking so I wasnt crazy, Glickman said. I have to let people know this. Im sure theres something we can do.
Glickman said the lack of a grocery store creates an imbalance in the community of downtown Chappaqua.
You wonder why the residents dont have a say in who goes into our community, Glickman said. Were this tiny little town and were going to have Rite-Aid and now Walgreens? We have CVS down the street, both ways, but we have no grocery store. Theres an imbalance thats happening in this town that has to be stopped.
She said the removal of a grocery store may have an adverse effect on home sales in Chappaqua as well.
If was coming up from the city, looking for a house would I want to be in a town, you know where do I shop?, Glickman said. My baby is sleeping, I just need to run out and get something. You need somewhere to push your cart around with your child thats more peacefully. Thats what our community is about, its a family oriented community.
Glickman has received suggestions from residents for a Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Turcos and DeCiccos to replace DAgostinos but theyve already made a deal with Walgreens.
We have reached out to a few stores that might be interested and one of them in particular said, Ill have my lawyers call DAgostinos lawyers and they (DAgostinos) said, Sorry weve already made a deal with Walgreens, Glickman said. To me, that says a lot and we still dont have any confirmation from DAgostinos.
Numerous calls to the DAgostinos corporate headquarters in Larchmont have gone unanswered.
Glickmans petition can be found at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/choosegroceries/.
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