Scientology's move into Flag Building has hurt downtown merchants

[Anonycat]

CLEARWATER — Merchants on Cleveland Street, the heart of the city's sagging downtown, have pegged their hopes for renewal on a revamped Capitol Theatre reopening next week and a new Clearwater Marine Aquarium nearby in a few years.

But another recent downtown unveiling several blocks south — the Church of Scientology's Flag Building — has emptied Cleveland Street of many if not most of the hundreds of uniformed church workers who had for years thronged the street, patronizing its restaurants and shops.

And merchants are feeling the pinch.

"They don't have enough time probably to walk over here and back for lunch," said Robert Henschen, co-owner of Bob and Daughter's Produce.

Sales have fallen off by about half at his store since the Flag Building opened in mid November, said Henschen, mostly because of the sag in church-related traffic.

Other merchants reported similar declines. Tony's Pizza is down about 35 percent. Other businesses such as Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts looked noticeably emptier recently, but their managers didn't respond to requests for comment.

Cafe 421 closed its doors on Nov. 28. The evaporation of Scientology patronage was the final blow, said owner David Cramer.

Article: http://www.tampabay.com/news/scient...-building-has-hurt-downtown-merchants/2156450

 

[Enthetan]

It says something positive about Flag staff pay these days, that there WERE Flag staff who could afford to patronize pizza places and Starbucks.

 

[Anonycat]

It says something positive about Flag staff pay these days, that there WERE Flag staff who could afford to patronize pizza places and Starbucks.

They are creating fatal conditions in their surroundings. That is scientology.

 

[Infinite]

"

I guess its one way of clearing the city.

 

[AnonyMary]

They're all on the RPF.

 

[Dulloldfart]

The staff need to get checked out on GAT2 Coffeeshop Auditing first?

Paul

 

[Knows]

Article: http://www.tampabay.com/news/scient...-building-has-hurt-downtown-merchants/2156450

I just had a "cognition"! Here is my win! Scientology claims to create a civilization with no criminality and insanity where people are free. Scientology has to keep the members out of the Wog World...it is far too dangerous out here - they may learn the truth about their cult!! Scientology wants Ideal Orgs to keep those slaves IN and they are accomplishing it! Sea Org slaves make furniture, books, tapes and the Orgs now serve their own food to the clubbed seals, (hence Ideal Org's with cafeterias), and Scientology will house them in dorms...so there is NO need for the clubbed seals to go out into Wog Land. So they are really helping us - they are keeping Scientolgist's out of OUR beautiful, wonderful world and they get to have "their" own civilization within their iron walls and curtains!! Thank you Sir!! You really are mankind's best friend...continue!

 

[Knows]

They're all on the RPF.

Scientology - all of it - is an RPF for spiritual beings~! A sticky fly-trap that enslaves while the leader feeds off the energy and money!! Hubbard warned everyone - but the clubbed seals can't see that THEY are the food for Miscavige's insatiable appetite for luxury, Jets, Fancy cars, John Lobb shoes, tailored suits, personal chef, personal gym and a billion dollar balance on his checkbook to do whatever he wishes!! No wonder he fights so hard in the courts!! He will surely die if he were kicked out on the street!! Just imagine it....

 

[Anonycat]

It says something positive about Flag staff pay these days, that there WERE Flag staff who could afford to patronize pizza places and Starbucks.

The only people I know that went there, arrived with pizza money, but there must be a few who were able to generate funds (a living wage) in the cult.

It also says that there is no benefit to the community, and that their classes do not lead to "flourishing and prospering". In fact, since the opening, a new debt has been added of $10,000 per person, plus any annual IAS fees. That should kill them off, and the local businesses too.