Coop Abandons Dietz to the Cold; No Six-Footers in the New Year

A six-foot crimson and white scarf has become the latest object of contention between the Harvard Cooperative and Sheldon Dietz '41.

After twelve years, the Coop has substituted a cheaper version of the scarf for the "Six-Footer" that Dietz's company manufactures. A Coop spokesman said last week that the change in lines had nothing to do with Dietz's current battle against the store's now Palmer Street annex.

But Dietz said he was puzzled by the switch. "I hope they are not trying an economic boycott, and deliberately depriving their members of the privilege of buying our products," he said.

Coop Dropped Dolls

The Coop has also dropped five other items his firm makes, Dietz said, including the "Six-Footer" doll and the "Little Laurie" doll, which he called the best-selling doll in the store. The Coop is his best customer, he added, and said he would like to continue selling to them.

The Coop spokesman explained that a buyer had attempted to place an order for the "Six-Footer" line, but that the firm's salesman never came. After several attempts to contact the company, the Coop was forced to buy the scarves elsewhere in order to get them in time for fall, he said.

"It's highly unlikely that much of an effort was made," Dietz replied.

Dietz has been feuding with the Coop for 20 months, alleging that plans for its new annex violate the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.