Upper East Side man wages campaign against new Apple store

UPPER EAST SIDE (WABC) -- In just a matter of days, Apple is planning to open its sixth Manhattan store on Madison Avenue and East 74th Street in a classic building dating back to 1921.

But for Herbert Feinberg, the store's location is not necessarily keeping with the character of his Upper East Side neighborhood.

"We don't mind the Apple Store being here," he said. "But we want to have certain restrictions that they should have to eliminate the crowds that gather and everything else."

Feinberg, a retired businessman who owns a townhouse on East 74th Street, just steps from the new store, is most concerned about what he sees could be an increase in foot traffic on narrow sidewalks.

"The lines will be tremendous down this street," he said. "With sleeping bags and tents...especially when the new products, and it's two or three days."

During past introductions at other Manhattan Apple stores, customers have formed long lines that last days to buy the latest product.

There have been few if any reported disruptions, but hoping to head off the potential, Feinberg started a petition that attorney Norman Arnoff says was signed by 400 people. He has now filed court papers.

"Every man's home is his castle, and he wants to protect that for himself and for his neighbors," Arnoff said.

The legal papers also point to a concern over new plans by the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the building that once housed the Whitney.

"You got more traffic that will be coming here than ever before," Feinberg said.

Apple officials say they cannot comment on the litigation as they prepare for the opening of what they point out will be a much smaller store than the five others.

The store will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Sundays.

For more information on the new story, visit Apple.com/retail/UpperEastSide.