When 's future was thrown into peril last month, the community turned out in force. And the efforts to save the stationery and candy nook from eviction continue with an online petition and merchandise sales. Organizers hope the community remembers to continue to support the Purchase Street shop.
Petition organizer Louise Sullivan and artist Heather Patterson are both rolling up their sleeves to get the community to support mother-son shop owners Peggy and Ted D'Onofrio. The D'Onofrio family has owned the local business for 42 of the 90 years it has existed.
A traditional paper petition to save TD's Smoke Shop and designate the storefront into an official local landmark has more than 1,900 signatures. There is also an online petition and supporters are still working to get more. The online appeal already has more than 770 signatures, and there's only one day left to sign a Change.org petition aiming to gather 1,000 signatures or more for the campaign.
"Many people have been meaning to sign but haven't gotten around to it," said organizer Louise Sullivan. "I'm sure they would welcome the reminder."
Sullivan said signing the petition is easy:
- Go to www.Change.org-in the box that says FIND at the top type in RYE
- Click the first petition and "sign" by giving your name and email
Rye artist couldn't just sit by and do nothing. Known for her picturesque local scenes and for organizing on the Rye Beach boardwalk, Patterson put her talents to work designing and setting up a website that will support shop owners Peggy and .
The merchandise choices include mugs and t-shirts with Heather Patterson's distinctive artwork celebrating the 90 year history of the iconic Rye shop.
You can buy the items online at the link here.
Back in April, Peggy and Ted D'Onofrio were notified property owner Fareri Associates LLP of Greenwich intends to renovate the historic building and would not renew the shop's lease. The Rye City Landmarks Commission is also considering a proposal to declare the site a landmark, but that move would require the owner's consent to make the designation.
