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- A New York man filed a $15 million lawsuit against Burger King.
- The man alleges a NYC store facilitated an "open air drug bazaar" operating outside its building.
- Locals said the street has struggled with loiterers and drug dealers for years.
A New Yorker filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Burger King, accusing the owner of a franchise in downtown Manhattan of facilitating an "open air" drug den — but locals says the neighborhood has seen shady characters for years.
Kevin Kaufman filed the $15 million lawsuit against Burger King claiming that the franchise allowed "rampant drug dealing" in and around its store, Business Insider previously reported.
The Fulton Street franchise owner told The New York Post he has nothing to do with the alleged criminal activity, and also wanted it to stop.
The Burger King is located a short walk from World Trade Center is Manhattan's financial district, an area of the city that is home to many high-rise office buildings and businesses.
On Thursday, a Business Insider reporter saw few people coming and going from the restaurant, which looks tired and run down.
Some entered and exited the store without making purchases.
Men who work nearby told BI that they've been frustrated by loiterers and who they suspected to be drug dealers for years.
It is not cheap to open and operate a Burger King franchise.
The company says on its website that all hopeful franchise owners are required to have a total net worth of at least $1 million and at least $500,000 in liquid assets. Opening a franchise with Burger King currently costs $50,000 up front, with other monthly or annual charges that include royalties, advertising, and building improvements, the website says.
George, who works the front desk at a neighboring building, told BI he's seen panhandlers and suspicious characters in the area for nearly four years.
"They come from across the street. Burger King started closing early, so they went to 7/11. 7/11 started closing early. Now the cops are patrolling, so they're no longer there. They started this week, so it's been peaceful," said George, who asked to go by his first name out of fear for his safety.
Staffers at the 7/11 across the street said the convenience store is shutting its doors due to the loiterers.
Sam, a man who identified himself as a manager at the convenience store, said that the suspicious activity in the neighborhood happens every day.
"We see people, we don't know who they are," said Sam, who also worried that providing his last name would prompt harassment. "I haven't seen anyone selling anything, but there is a possibility."
The 7/11 plans to close by the end of the month. The store already stopped opening at night due to "safety and theft issues," Sam said.
A retailer on the same street as the Burger King shared similar thoughts, saying the loiterers are "everywhere."
"I see a lot of riff raff in front of the store," said Joe, who asked to use an alias. "I don't even walk this way anymore."
BI was unable to reach the franchise owner of the Burger King for comment.
"I see a lot of homeless action, panhandling, fighting, you know, whatever," Joe added. "Who wants to get involved in that? You walk by and you never know."