Slog - Comments on City Sets Deadline for Seattle's Last Newsstand

Comment by Fnarf

Fnarf — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:07:00 -0800

I'm sorry, but this guy is a dope. He keeps calling it a "newsstand" but he doesn't sell any newspapers or magazines? His stand died a long time ago, and what he needs isn't architects and engineers, it's an ass in the seat 12 hours a day, and some FRICKIN' NEWSPAPERS. Nostalgia is great and everything, and it would be nice if this was real, but it's NOT REAL. He needs to sit in there all day, and if he doesn't want to do that, and doesn't want to hire someone else to do it, then he's got nothing.

Comment by Bellevue Ave

Bellevue Ave — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:20:58 -0800

if he sold porn magazines thatd be freaking awesome. get a duvet at ross and a club at the stand

Comment by PC

PC — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:38:50 -0800

I agree with @1.

In substance, but especially the tone, the rhetorical stance, the use of caps and use of "frickin.'"

Comment by rb

rb — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:50:53 -0800

Jonah - this is not "Seattle's Last Newsstand". Please stop referring to it as such. First of all, it is a kiosk. Second of all, his "newspaper" stock consists of free local rags and the SGN for 25 cents. Third, and most importantly, there is a rockin' newsstand at the entrance to the Market. That place rules, and their foreign magazine and newspaper section is the best in the city.

Comment by A

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:02:16 -0800

I don't understand all the attention and love this stand is getting on here. It's gross, it doesn't really sell anything, and I think I've only seen someone actually running it about 3 times in the last two years.
This week I noticed the big magazine store over by Yesler(4th or 5th Ave. I think) is closed. When did that happen, and where was the LA times feature then, huh?

Comment by elswinger

elswinger — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:04:37 -0800

Not once have I seen that shit-hole open. If you want a newsstand got to the corner of Pine & First at the Pike Place Market.

Comment by Gomez

Gomez — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:16:29 -0800

That stand has been closed at least 95% of the entire time I've lived here (if not the entire time) until Gant perked up his movement to keep it a short time ago. Maybe if he wanted it to stick around, he should have kept it open. This isn't exactly Gus Hellthaler fighting for the survival of his Blue Moon Tavern: at least Blue Moon's open for business everyday.

Comment by blargh

blargh — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:37:19 -0800

Ben Gant should give up the newstand dream and pursue voice-over work or become an auctioneer. You can't really tell from this video but he's got a great voice.

Comment by Andy

Andy — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:27:52 -0800

This guy seems mildly mentally ill, in a charming sort of way.

Comment by Ben

Ben — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:22:58 -0800

First of all the rags I sell (The Facts,SGN,and Russian world news) are not available anywhere else downtown. The other FRICKIN PAPERS will not let me carry them.
SMC code says I must be open 1 1/2 hours a day and I have done that since 4/16/07 after I was granted a restraining order against the city.
I would love to put the whole story out there, but it would be counter productive. Secondly I did think of selling just porn and calling it The Smut Peddler. The city would love that.

Comment by Jesus Tree Lover

Jesus Tree Lover — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 06:43:57 -0800

it is utterly amazing what effort has been made to close this little operation down

city admin sucks big time - and all the so called liberals are forced democrats - in any other city they would be the R;s

go ben, kick back, mark one for the really little guys

in a city that mostly shits on everybody but gates and allen

Comment by DB

DB — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:43:04 -0800

I'm a bit surprised that Gant isn't selling The Seattle Times or the P-I, as they tend to allow anyone with a valid business license, permit and taxpayer I.D. number to buy papers wholesale and sell retail.

That he doesn't sell those papers -- along with his "I'm gonna keep this open the bare minimum hours I have to" attitude tells me just how seriously he takes this. What a lame, tired grudge match.