My name is [Maria Iordanidis] and I am the proud owner of Mamas.Kabobs, located on 152 Street and 3rd Avenue in the South Bronx. Our beloved family business has been a staple in this community since 1968. It's not just a pushcart ; it's a gathering place where friends and families come together over delicious meals. It's a place where I've built countless friendships and watched our community grow over decades.

However, today we are facing a dire threat. The sanitation department is attempting to shut us down, despite the existence of a grandfather clause that should protect long-standing businesses like mine. For over 50 years, we've had no issues with our neighbors or other businesses, yet now we face the closure of the only job I know and love.

This business is personal to me in more ways than one. I worked here with my husband, who tragically passed away from COVID-19 in March 2020, and just nine months later, I lost my father. Mamas.Kabobs is not only my livelihood but also a source of cherished memories and connections with the community. All my customers are not just customers; they are friends, family, and neighbors that support and uplift one another.

I am calling for your support to keep Mamas.Kabobs open and continue serving the Bronx community that means so much to me. Closing it would not only be the loss of a business but a cultural and community landmark, a pillar in our neighborhood.

I urge the local authorities to consider the history and impact of our presence in the community and take into account the grandfather clause that should allow us to continue our operations.

Please, if you have ever enjoyed a meal at Mamas.Kabobs or cherish small family businesses that are the heart and soul of our communities, add your signature to this petition. Help us remain the cornerstone of the South Bronx that we've been for over half a century. Stay united with us in this fight to preserve not just a business, but a vital piece of our community's heart and history.

Join us in showing the importance of local businesses, ensuring that we can keep serving the community for many more years to come. Please sign this petition to save Mamas.Kabobs.