This island is not big enough for two people.
Roosevelt Island hot dog cart sellers and visitor kiosks at his center are vying for summer over who is allowed to sell cold drinks to day-trippers at tram stations. There was a turf war going on all the time.
Right now,the problem is reaching a boiling point as the heat wave is driving demand for cold bottled water, Snapples and sodas to skyrocket.
In June, Mohammed his Afifi set up carts selling hot dogs, falafel and gyros to passengers getting off the cable car made famous by movies like 2002's "Spider-Man."
However, Judy Vardy, president of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society, said her organization's booth, which opened in 2007, had suffered financially as a result and wanted Afifi to move. said there is.
"He parked in our doorway," Birdie told the Post.
A visitor kiosk sells bottled water for $1.50, but a cart sells it for $1.
"The trams don't have air conditioning and people have to wear masks, so people are very warm," said Birdie. "Drinks are items that make you a little money. If you charge $1.50, you can make $1 off it." , sell specialty drinks like Snapple and LaCroix for $2.
"They don't even come here to see the shops or get maps or information," said Birdie. "They left and it really ruined our business and reduced visitors."
But Afifi, from Cairo, Egypt, said he had every right to do business on the island. , has permission to prove it.
"I really sell food.
"She sells [only drinks]," he added Afifi. Her cart was recently parked about 20 feet from the kiosk entrance.
"I don't know what [Berdy] wants."
(The Roosevelt Island operator did not respond to the Post's request for comment.)
Berdy also accused Afifi of not taking out the trash often enough, but the vendor said he took out the trash every night.
She also complained that he didn't have a price list, but Affi said carts were also used in Times Square and sold at a lower cost on Roosevelt Island than in Midtown.
Residents of Roosevelt Island the Post spoke to seemed divided over the hot button issue. Affi's carts, he said, make the quaint island of about 12,000 residents feel like bustling Manhattan.
"This [vendor] does not represent [the island] as it should be," Munfakh said, adding that he was concerned about more carts arriving. rice field.
Another longtime Islander, her Joan Brooks, complained that the cart was an "eyesore".
She "understands that he is taking income from the kiosk, but this is not right," said Brooks, who has called Roosevelt Island her home since 1977. I was.
It was a busy Monday lunch rush.
On Roosevelt Island, where he has lived for nearly five years, James Jimenez and Delin Santos said they were comfortable with Afifi setting up shop.
"We noticed him a few weeks ago," Santos said, adding that it was "interesting" to see a normal cart on the island.
"Kids love him," added Jimenez. "I don't think there will be a problem."
Birdie said he is petitioning the Roosevelt Island Operating Company to move the carts.
"Why do you hurt the historical society? He can get permission and go anywhere. Why do you have to fix it in my face? She said
But Afifi just wanted to be left alone,
"I won't bother her with anything... I'm legit, That's it," he said.
