Today it hit me—everything I need is less than six blocks from my front door. You could call it urban planning, but I suspect it might just be one big awesome accident.
My Saturday morning shopping spree began about three blocks from our apartment with $6 worth of cherry tomatoes from the Farmer’s Market next to True Nature Foods. The woman collecting the cash gave me an extra basket for free. I shyly took the plastic bag from her and ran off toward Broadway.
Four blocks later, I arrived at Tony’s Barber Shop on Clark—home of the ten-dollar haircut. There, I met a cool cop named Ed and spoke proudly of how cool my wife is. I always enjoy my time in Tony’s chair. He grew up in the neighborhood and has lots of stories. Usually he plays Dean Martin or Sinatra on a little boom box. Today, however, he was blasting ABBA. A strange, but welcome, twist to my monthly visit.
Then I headed east, where I bought two pounds of fresh-roasted, French roast coffee at Metropolis. The coffee shop scene always takes me back to my days as a barista. The kids behind the counter are enthusiastic and friendly and if you stick around long enough to wait for an espresso drink, you usually witness the proverbial “I was so drunk last night . . .” beginning of a conversation.
Then, I went around the corner to Holzkoph’s Meat Market on Broadway and bought 4 fresh-cut lamb chops and two packs of the best Bratwurst on the planet. I hesitate to even mention how wonderful this place is out of fear that words won’t do it justice. The guys working behind the counter take such pride in what they do. From their pristine white aprons to their incredible customer service, every neighborhood should be so lucky.
Finally, my tour ended at the CVS on the corner of Granville and Broadway. One of the few “chain” stores near our place, I love the fact that I can get a pair of pliers and prescription filled so close to home. Today the line was long, so settled in. I was buying charcoal, while the guy in front of me had one of those economy packs of Trojans. He stepped up to the checker like a man on a mission. The guy behind the counter smiled as he rang up the prophylactics and took the cash.
“Thank you, I hope you enjoy our products,” he said through a huge smile as condom guy scurried out the door.
“I always say that when people buy condoms,” he told me, scanning my Kingsford. We both laughed and life was good.
