One Sweet Lady
I don’t think there’s a day that goes by when I’m not in the Scarsdale Village. And, I believe I know just about everyone working in the Village too, including all the officers responsible for my numerous parking tickets. I’m not going to get started on the 90-minute meter-parking limit, or the fact that they hover until the second it starts flashing that “0.”
I’m writing to express my love of patronage for those village stores. However, I really miss all the ones that have left us. Michael’s, where I used to play Seinfeld trivia with Jason; gone. The Stationary Arcade, where we all headed for our school supplies back in the day; gone. Vaccaro is no more. The UPS center is now a candy store. And, my beloved “Book Lady,” Wallace, closed shop.
All of these stores were important to our village, but it’s the people behind the counter who made, and continue to make, our village a home.
No one embodies that more than Emily Hirsch, proud proprietor of Candy ‘n Cards for 45 years. Throughout the various stages of my life, school age girl to mother of two, Emily has been sitting at that counter and waving to me whenever I pass. She is a comforting constant, who never misses an opportunity to ask me about my parents or my kids.
Now it was my turn. I went into Candy ‘n Cards today for some birthday cards, oddly enough, and we started talking.
Emily and her husband Morris, “Big Mo,” bought the store in 1967, after her son and daughter went off to college. In addition to her two children, she has four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
And, nobody wants the store. “Who wants to go into retail today? Only someone nuts, like me,” Emily deadpanned.
“Your right. Retail is tough,” I agreed.
“My son Jeffrey, a lawyer, is retired and I’m still working. Crazy,” Emily said as we laughed together.
Working is an understatement. She’s in that store six days a week. Daniel is there to help her, whom she calls her “right hand man and a sweetheart.” But, it’s all her.
I couldn’t get enough of Emily. A quick wit and inherent wisdom are a potent combination, and she has it in spades. She also has some incredible genes.
Emily looks exactly the same as she did when I was a little girl, just a little shorter. So, I had to ask her, “How old are you?”
“I’m 95 years old and I’m still vertical,” she answered with a chuckle. “Amazing,” I said.
Emily continued, “My original customers still come in, if they’re still alive…and they come in with their children and their children’s children.”
I happen to be one of those children. We reminisced about how she used to watch me push Sam in his stroller, as I passed her store. Nice memories.
There is no doubt that Emily has seen it all in her 45 years, sitting behind that counter. So, I asked, “How do you feel about the changes going on in the Village today?”
“You can quote me on this; the bridge is a disaster. I think they built the G.W. in less time,” she stated, with a wide grin, followed by a chuckle or two. She went on to say, “The internet is killing me. You can buy everything online now.”
“Yes, but nothing can compare to a store-bought greeting card. There’s nothing like pen-to-paper,” I insisted.
“True,” she replied, while nodding.
And, here’s another truth; being a loyal customer has many rewards. Getting to know and see Emily Hirsch almost every day has been a precious one.
After all, it’s the people who make Scarsdale the special place that it is, especially our town’s shopkeepers. Their long-standing friendship is what gives our roughly 18,000 person village, that small town America feel. And, I love it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to send my sister her birthday card, so she gets it in time.
Contributor Sharon Lippmann, writes about her "so called suburban life," as a proud resident of Scarsdale, NY. She is a writer, blogger, mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend and one sassy chick. She loves exploring the interesting, strange, perplexing, vexing, ridiculous and funny that life offers up frequently. Enjoying more of what she has to say about nothing, and, well, everything at mydailypill.com .
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written by Suzi Eisman, March 02, 2012
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written by Maxine, March 01, 2012
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written by Susi Coplan, March 01, 2012
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written by Sharon, February 26, 2012
I know Wallace's true nickname, but just couldn't assign it to her in print!!!
She was an acquired taste and I loved going in to her shop to talk books, life, or whatever. -
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written by Eda Newhouse, February 24, 2012
Thanks for your kind words.
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written by Bookstore Lover, February 23, 2012
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written by rps, February 23, 2012
The other most memorable shopkeeper for me was Harold Uhlin , owner of the Rock Shop on Brook St. (unfortunately no longer with us ). I went there often, but only if I had at least one hour to spare for stimulating conversation on wide ranging subjects
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