2008 Woodie Awards
March to save Manny's
Friendly march against eminent domain begins at Manny's Pub on Exchange Street and goes to Student Union and back
Adam Ferrise
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: News
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It was a wrecking crew that was in the process of razing Cosmopolitan Hair and Tanning salon, which sat only a few paces from his own businesses.
"I pulled into the parking lot to watch and I was thinking, 'is that what you're going to do to my building? I'd rather not be around.'"
Nemer, who owns Manny's pub and Aroma Coffee, is one of two businessmen that have yet to sell their properties after the University of Akron was approved to use eminent domain in August, to acquire land in order to build an on-campus football stadium.
Manny said he is determined not to let his establishments - Manny's Pub, Aroma Coffee & Tea and Chopstix Resturaunt - meet the same fate that Cosmopolitan did.
In an attempt to raise more awareness for his, and other small businesses' faced with eminent domain cases, Nemer and his staff organized an all day event this Friday at Manny's Pub.
The event starts with Manny's March at 2:30 at his Pub on Exchange Street. They plan to march to the Student Union and end up back at the bar for a celebration.
Nemer hopes the attention gained from the protest will help save his property.
"I'm doing whatever I can to save myself and save my business," Nemer said. "That's all I'm trying to do. I worked hard for it and I earned it the hard way."
For someone who emigrated from Lebanon as a 16-year-old boy with $6 in his pocket, it's hard to believe that Nemer could turn down the $1,048,000 that UA offered him. Manny said it just isn't enough for him to even consider.
Nemer, however, said the situation extends beyond money.
"We just want to let the university and the city know that eminent domain is abused," Nemer said. "All this march is for is friendly, peaceful cooperation. We just want to be a part of the university."
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 9
Jennifer
posted 4/18/08 @ 2:29 PM EST
Good Luck! I knew from the minute they started talking about the football stadium it was going to be bad for the area. I'm out of school now, but one of the most important reasons I chose to go to Akron for was the surrounding businesses and community. (Continued…)
Don
posted 4/18/08 @ 3:34 PM EST
You have to be kidding me!!! March for Manny's, you people have your priorities all fucked up!!!
There are students getting raped and held up and having guns put to their heads and you find a cause in saving a bar that smells like a trip to the zoo after the exhibits have just been cleaned with bleach. (Continued…)
functionalist
posted 4/18/08 @ 4:12 PM EST
why don't we march to save aids too..both are just as bad and someone is making money off the misfortune of others!
Brint
posted 4/18/08 @ 10:27 PM EST
This is just a ploy to try and get more money for his establishment. He knows good and well there's nothing he can do to save his bar. The fact that he claims he's "trying to save his business" is beyond ridiculous. (Continued…)
Chet
posted 4/22/08 @ 3:24 AM EST
No one cares that much because it's just a bar, not like it's absolutely vital to the area.
Curious
posted 10/29/08 @ 5:18 PM EST
I always find it fascinating when a story like this brings in half a dozen pro-UA comments. A cynic would think that UA is sending employees to make these comments. (Continued…)
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