I have invested my life and savings and every living breath into this business.  I work 7 days a week 12 hour work days, so that I can get ahead and make a better life for my children and family.   Along comes Sweetbay / Hannaford chain of stores who along with the money hungry lying property management company (Weingarten Realty) who wish to crush the American Dream by simply allowing 2 liquor stores side by side in a strip mall plaza.  This  totally disregards the legal ramifications but also moral and business ethics.  When Publix, the anchor tenant moved out of the space that Sweetbay is now taking over, over 50% of my business was reduced!  My common area maintenance (CAM) was increased by 50%.  Even though traffic and business was down.  The property management company has continued to harass me and threaten me to either move out or sell my business for pennies on the dollar, way below market value.  Sweetbay representatives initially came in to scope out my business and to see what kind of volume I was moving.  They came back with a ridiculous offer of take it or leave it.   When I refused their attempts to buckle under their pressure, they advised me they would open irregardless and crush me with their corporate money power.  I am asking you, my customers and friends who have supported me through the years, to stand by me now and help me, the “little guy” to boycott Sweetbay Grocery & Sweetbay Liquors to stay out of this plaza or do the right thing by buying me out at a fair market value.  In these economic times, I think and feel and hope you agree, it is imperative and moral to help support the small business owner and not let these big corporate conglomerates take over our lives and the future of our families and country.  Please sign this petition to support your local liquor store and my cause, and let our voices be heard.

Respectfully Yours,

Raj Patel 

East Lake Wine & Liquor