{"id":17968,"date":"2014-01-01T08:00:53","date_gmt":"2014-01-01T13:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.yiddishecup.com\/blog\/?p=17968"},"modified":"2013-12-31T10:22:17","modified_gmt":"2013-12-31T15:22:17","slug":"a-stores-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.yiddishecup.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/01\/a-stores-story\/","title":{"rendered":"A STORE’S STORY"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This<\/strong><\/span> was a witch store. Now it\u2019s an insurance agency.<\/p>\n

Before the witch, Fred Smith operated Smith\u2019s Deli here, in the 1950s,1960s and 1970s.\u00a0 Students from St. Ed\u2019s High, across the street, would come in and rip off Fred for candy and pops.<\/p>\n

I ran into one St. Ed\u2019s alum — a 55-year-old man — who thought I was God because I had known Fred on an adult level.<\/p>\n

Fred got<\/strong><\/span> tired of the kids and retired.\u00a0 He needed more than Snickers sales to pay the rent.\u00a0 One Snickers sold, one Snickers lost to shrinkage\/shoplifting. No gain.<\/p>\n

After Fred left, 1977, the store went through many owners. The most famous post-Fred tenant was Angela Hicks, who founded Angie\u2019s List.<\/p>\n

There was also a flower shop, a tax service, sports cards shop and the witch store, Ancient Ways.\u00a0 The witch kept cats in the basement. She reimbursed me for the destroyed carpet when she left, but not for the five months remaining on her lease.<\/p>\n

The insurance<\/strong><\/span> agency has been here five years.\u00a0 Five years is a decent run.\u00a0 That\u2019s the proof the store was not hexed by the witch.<\/p>\n

But the insurance guy is moving.\u00a0 He just called [12\/31\/13].\u00a0 “I’m vacuuming and going to be out by 1 p.m.,” he said.<\/p>\n

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1975<\/p><\/div>\n

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2008<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Footnote:<\/small><\/p>\n

A list of\u00a0 tenants at 13431 Detroit Avenue, 1977-on:<\/p>\n

Fred’s deli, moved out, 1977.<\/p>\n

Streeter Sporting Goods, 1978-80.<\/p>\n

Antique store, various owners for another 10 years or so.<\/p>\n

Ka-La\u2019s Flower Shop, 1983.\u00a0 (\u201cKaLa\u201d for Kathy and Laura.) Then various other flower shops.<\/p>\n

Embossed stuff. \u00a0Embroidery Ink, 1991.<\/p>\n

Kayln Tax Service, 1993<\/p>\n

For You Productions.\u00a0 More the embossed stuff, 1993.<\/p>\n

Grand Slam Collectibles, 1994.<\/p>\n

Vacant 1995-1997.<\/p>\n

Resale shops, a couple years.<\/p>\n

Angie\u2019s List, 1999.<\/p>\n

Ancient Ways, New Age, 2001-2004.<\/p>\n

Vacant 3 \u00be years.\u00a0 2004-2008.<\/p>\n

Farmer\u2019s Insurance. 2008-13.<\/p>\n

2014 — ?<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

A version of this post is also a video (originally posted\u00a0 1\/21\/11).
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