For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
The owner of a restaurant in a building that served as the fictional home for the characters of Friendshas lashed out at tourists for defacing its walls.
Joey Campanaro, owner of the Little Owl restaurant at 90 Bedford Street, New York where coffee shop Central Perk was set, spoke with the New York Postabout how hordes of tourists have been causing havoc for his business.
“It’s annoying,” he said, describing how Friends fans have blocked roads as they take selfies and even graffitied on the walls of the building. “They’re behaving as if there’s zero accountability.”
He said he believed that “hundreds” of people have been visiting each day. “Over the weekends, it’s closer to 1,000.”
The 47-year-old added that the situation had worsened following the 25th anniversary celebrations for the show that took place in September.
All six friends in Friends, ranked from worst to best
Show all 6
He also revealed that he believes the graffiti may have been his fault, however unintentional. In 2011, one of his friends enjoyed a meal so much that he wrote “I love Joey” in chalk on the pavement outside, which has not washed away.
“I think a tourist thought that it was meant for [Friends character] Joey Tribbiani and not Joey Campanaro,” he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies