If you weren't already convinced that the recent arrival of a wood-paneled Dunkin Donuts on hallowed Bedford Ave ground was the fourth Horseman of the Mom-And-Popocalypse, here's some news: of all the boroughs, Brooklyn saw the biggest increase in chain stores this year. Weep sad tears for Kings County, folks, and shop your feelings at your friendly neighborhood J. Crew.
The chain store data comes courtesy of the Center for an Urban Future's sixth annual "State of the Chains" report. According to the report, Brooklyn saw a 2.8 percent uptick in chains this year, with 1,511 chain retailers and eateries to last year's 1,470. Manhattan and Queens, meanwhile, lost some chains (R.I.P. Blockbuster), with respective 0.7 percent and 0.4 percent decreases.
Brooklyn's jump in chain stores is unprecedented for the borough, which saw a 2.6 percent chain growth in 2012, which was the largest one yet. And as for the biggest soulless corporate offenders, the report found that with over 500 stores in the city, the ever-increasing aforementioned Dunkin had the most chain stores citywide, followed by Subway, Duane Reade/Walgreens and Starbucks. Try harder next time, 7-Eleven (but really, don't).
