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The owners of Looney Tunes in West Babylon believe Suffolk County lawmakers had the right intentions behind the new plastic bag legislation.
But they also think the law is doing more harm than good.
So they’re getting creative.
The countywide measure that now makes customers pay 5 cents for plastic bags is discouraging locals from shopping brick and mortar, the owners believe.
“I think the new law is important, but the feedback that we were getting from our customers was so negative,” said Karl Groeger, who owns the record store with his brother, Jamie.
So instead of penalizing people for not using re-usable bags, Looney Tunes wants to reward its customers. Since the law went into effect on Jan 1, Looney Tunes implemented a policy that credits patrons 25 cents for using re-usable bags. And if you want a plastic bag for your purchased item, the store will take 5 cents off the price — making it as if there was no additional charge.
“It is still going to be on your receipt that you paid five cents,” Groeger said.
But he and his brother strongly believe in the importance of keeping our environment clean. So, they will be taking a portion of Looney Tunes proceeds each year and donating to different environmental causes.
“I applaud the legislators for trying and do something,” Groeger said. “And I don’t necessarily disagree with the law, but I was more concerned with the outcry from the community.”
Top: Looney Tunes co-owner Karl Groeger standing in his music store in West Babylon. (Credit: Nicolas Esposito)
