The King Of Zabaristan Has Decreed It, And So It Is

The Zabar East Side Hegemony asserts itself, ensuring its top-dog status in the neighborhood:

A proposed green market on the Upper East Side has bought the farm — thanks to a scorched-earth campaign by high-end grocer Eli Zabar and some local residents.

Community Board 8 had voted last month to allow eight vendors to sell fruit, vegetables and cheese in the playground of PS 6 at East 82nd Street and Madison Avenue for a few hours on Saturdays.

But despite the vote, Tom Strumolo, of the Council on the Environment of New York, said yesterday he decided to seek another location after a meeting with residents.

“They were very adamantly opposed,” he said. “I was led to believe they would picket” the site.

“I didn’t want my growers to be subjected to that sort of behavior,” he said. “They have trusted me for many, many years to bring them into a place where they will be welcome.”

Zabar, who owns E.A.T. on Madison between 80th and 81st streets and Eli’s on Third and 80th Street, has been a vocal opponent.

He contended “that he’s trying to run a business and they would compete with his business,” said Board 8 President David Liston.

Pamela Matson, who has two children at PS 6, complained Zabar “owns the neighborhood.”

“I would love a green market,” she said. “A green market here is no messier than the kids.”

. . .

Zabar was in Europe and could not be reached for comment.

Bwahahahaha!