Miguel Rosales, P.T. Vineburgh, Joel Pierce, and Paul Donnelly of the Beacon Hill Architectural Commission called the historic interior window signage located at 24 Joy Street "not appropriate and excessive". They ruled to remove the interior window film containing the name of the business "Cobblestone Convenience" from 3 of the windows which will result as an eyesore to the neighborhood and a financial burden to the small business owner. If you do not agree with the BHAC's ruling please sign this petition.

On October 24, 2019 the following correspondence was sent from Beacon Hill small business owner, Kristie X. Aussubel, to the BHCA – specifically P.T. Vineburgh, Miguel Rosales, Joel Pierce, and Paul Donnelly. Not one of these men responded to her.

“Good afternoon BHAC (also copied on this email are those who I believe may be able to add value & guidance),

Since your ruling last Thursday I have received a tremendous amount of inquires from neighbors asking how and why this ruling can be made. I volunteer as the Eliot School Social Media Chair and was approached by several families after last night’s Family Council meeting with the following questions:

“How will anyone know what the store is if you remove the signage from Joy Street?”

“Please don’t take down the signage on Joy Street, it will look awful!”

“Don’t they understand how horrible it looked before you took over, it now looks fantastic!”

“Do they REALLY understand what they ruled? Can we start a petition?”

Each and every day I’m in my office, Presidential Properties, located at 17 Myrtle St. (directly across from Cobblestone Convenience) and because we are a street level storefront we leave our door open welcoming neighbors, customers, and tourists. Since Friday there have been countless neighbors taking their time to visit and voice their opposing opinion to your ruling and again ask several questions that I do not know the answers to.

I own three Beacon Hill small businesses, created over 25 employment positions, and dedicate my life ethically and sincerely influencing young professionals and families to not only move here, but to stay here. I personally write hundreds of leases each and every year and make it a point to know every customer’s name, their address, and provide them with opportunities to get positively involved in “all things” Boston. I even own the trademarks We Know Boston® and #WeKnowBoston®. Because of the great amount of time I spend promoting our great city, I feel frustrated with your ruling and can’t help but take it personally as a mom, small business owner and active member in our community.

There has been signage in EVERY window of 24 Joy for decades. I have attached photos of the store to show history, placement, and consistency. I have also attached photos to show a “then/now”. I have not been able to find any legal documentation or policy that is agreeable with your ruling.

I have broken up my defense to your ruling into 3 categories:

1. Historic Consistency/Look

2. Placement Reasoning

3. Small Business Branding

The historic consistency and look of the windows has remained the same for many, many years. There has been interior sticker lettering on all windows of this non conforming retail store for decades, see attached photos. It is my understanding that the purpose of the BHAC is to make decisions based on historical/architectural value. The history of the window signage is documented in photos with a clear consistency of lettering placed on every window. I was advised by many that the signage placement on all windows as it is now, is “grandfathered in”. Your ruling is to void this history and is unprecedented.

The placement of the film serves the purpose of hiding the backs of the peg board shelving and the product. I do not believe anyone wants to see the back of our shelves, chips, bleach bottles, and other convenience store items. If the store name is removed from the film as you ruled, at least half of the shelving and product will be visible from the public way. The brand new shelving units were made special order with dimensions to coincide with the signage placement.

Cobblestone Convenience is a small neighborhood corner store. By ruling to remove the stores name from the film you are ruling to remove it’s brand and identity. By ruling to remove the name from the Joy Street window film there will be no name provided, nor commercial explanation of what the property is. If no one knows who or what the store is, how will my small business succeed and thrive? Joy Street is highly trafficked amongst tourists. Many people are walking from the Boston Common into our neighborhood and /or from the State House. When walking from these directions there will be no visible signage at all. My small business relies solely on foot traffic since there is no parking available.

When the past tenant of this space moved out, it took over a year of my time, efforts, and cost to provide a beautiful, clean store for my neighbors to enjoy. I followed the guidance of the city and neighbors to actively make sure I was following all the proper channels and permitting. I spent many days at 1010 Mass Ave ensuring this. I had no idea that I had to ask your permission to change the interior sticker name from Primos Convenience to Cobblestone Convenience, and I apologize. I paid the fee for the violation/application and for childcare to attend last Thursday. This store is a financial burden and if you pursue your ruling I will not be able to make any future modifications nor replacements. After the past few days I am most certain the neighborhood will not be happy with the way the store looks. It is my understanding that I will have to obtain legal council to appeal your ruling. Mothers at last night’s meeting stated “you have to appeal!” and suggested they create a “Go Fund Me” account titled “BHAC, the Beacon Hill Bullies of Small Business” in order to raise enough money for an attorney.

On the front page of today’s Beacon Hill Times portrayed a less than flattering description of my statements made last Thursday and caused another wave of supportive neighbors to come into my office. A Revere Street resident asked for a list of city officials to reach out to on my behalf. Another from Hancock Street asked if they could create an online petition against your ruling. Because of the extravagant uproar from the community against your ruling I am reaching out to see if there is a way we can amicably come to a resolution so you can reverse the ruling and avoid the consumption of everyone's time and high expenses that I will encounter appealing your ruling in Superior Court. At a day/time of your choice, I would be grateful for your time to meet with me at Cobblestone Convenience where I will treat you to a cup of coffee and physically show you what you have ruled and the repercussions of your ruling.

I look forward to your response and can be found in my office every day and by email BostonFamily@Aussubel.com

Thank you for your time, Kristie X. Aussubel”