The city’s battle against Orthodox Jewish retail shops that
require “modesty’’ of their customers should go to trial, an administrative
judge has ruled.
Both sides have been fighting for months over signs that
Satmar shops in Williamsburg put in their windows saying, “Entrance here only
for those with modest attire. No Shorts, No Barefoot, No Sleeveless, NO Low Cut
Neckline ALLOWED IN THIS STORE.”
The city argues that the signs are discriminatory against
women, non-Jews and the non-religious by making them feel uncomfortable and
unwelcome in the Lee Avenue stores.
“The whole key is, ‘How does that sign make someone feel?
How would a person feel looking at that sign and [about] whether he or she is
welcome in that store?’ ” Clifford Mulqueen, of the city’s Commission on Human
Rights, said to The Post.
But the shops say the signs are geared toward both sexes —
and don’t single out anyone any differently than a posh eatery that requires a
coat and tie.
“Frankly, it’s very troubling that the commission thinks
it’s OK for the Four Seasons restaurant to impose a dress code but not a bakery
owned by a Hasidic businessman,’’ said lawyer Jay Lefkowitz.
The trial will consist of a two-day hearing in
administrative court in January, officials said.
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