Petition calls for ban on $1 pizza slices in NYC's Lower East Side

NEW YORK, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- In an effort to promote “food diversity” in the Lower East Side in New York City, an online petition asking the local community board to get rid of pizzerias offering $1 pizza slices has been created.

“This is an effort to promote diversity in low to mid-priced food options for New York City's Lower East Side,” according to the petition by No More L.E.S. Pizzerias.

“Are you sick and tired of pizzerias opening up all over the Lower East Side? With the closures of so many restaurants in the neighborhood, our low to mid-priced food options are dwindling. Pizzerias have over-saturated this part of Manhattan. Sign this petition and maybe Community Board 3 will take notice. *Enough of the L.E.S. pizzeria takeover!”

The petition only has 24 signatures and it’s not hard to see why after hearing what some area residents had to say about the matter.

“In this economy, people need cheap food. I buy them sometimes,” Lower East Side resident Nina Mende told CBS New York.

“I see them throughout all of New York City, that’s part of New York,” said Nick Newman.

According to Community Board 3 District Manager Susan Stetzer, cheap pizza places aren’t to blame for small businesses struggling in the neighborhood.

“I do not believe that we are losing them because of dollar pizza, we’re losing them to upscale competition that can pay higher rents,” Stetzer said.

[CBS New York] [Change.org]