Touchy Feely

Another observance: young adult girls see with their hand. Unnerving at times like yesterday when 6 young cute things proceeded to go in all different directions picking up everything possible in the store. Can we say "stop pawing and pay"? I guess that'll be a NO!

Can You Have a Hecker in Store?

What does one do when a heckler comes in with his wife, puts back what she picks out? Tells her she doesn't need another purse, asks a dozen questions, tells you jokes & insists that he's just bustin' your chops? Talk back? No, have a quicky, informative response, No, Suck-up? No Grin & bear it? Yes!!

Blissed Out

Three Days away from this place & I feel like a new person person. Gained perspective, gained some loving kindness (went to Kripalu in the Berkshires) but most important gained some breathing space to renew my love for eco & fair-trade.

I love, I love, I love, I love, I love, I love,

Note to Future Store owners: if a person repeats in the course of, oh say, a minute 20 times how much they love your store, chances are what they are really saying is...I'm not buying anything so if I praise the store until I need to take a breath it'll make me feel better. I think? I still not sure about this one...

Connections Connect My Heart - Finally

met an inspiring person today in Earth Alley. they're visiting her son's host family in Japan & wanted hand selected gifts. Not only did it bring back memories of my exchange experience in Denmark but we had a great conversation about her ideas of trying a new career, really about forging a new path in stimulating brain activity. I LOVE meeting women who dare. It seems that the most devastating outcome of this economy has brought fear to us about pursuing our dreams.

Can you Call a Person a Customer?

He is an amalgam of so many. He talked to us for an hour at an event we had a promotional table, mostly about his daughter who'd love to work at Earth Alley. She's green, really green. Two months passed, he came in recenltly, I'm not sure why. spend a long time telling me that he doesn't shop. but said I was a good salesperson, then left with no objects. I guess I am not as good a salesperson as he is a chatter. Reminds me of the guy last time who came in to chat while his wife went to church for over an hour.

Wilting Weather, Our Eye Balls are Dry

So here is the small shop owners dilemma: to close or not to close? One asks, "is there is hot chance in hell people will shop today?" Buttttttt...there is a chance! At 105 degrees, 1 sale at 12 noon, dizzy from the heat, I gave up. Hampden looked deserted as if everyone boycotted walking. I know I did. And, it is on these days that I wish I were working for someone, anyone else who will pay the ac, the electric bills and the upteen bills that keep this place going.

Re-Energize This Blog NOW

How am I sitting here again sitting contemplating closing the shop? Is there collective button pushed -NO MORE SHOPPING? I distinctly remember last year there were specific days, weeks yeah even months where the memo read cease & desist all spending immediately but go shopping anyways, torture small shops with as many question as humanly possible. Here we are again with no real warning. Can it be an additional spike in the sucky economy? Two weeks ago people loved Earth Alley & the next day, nope, no can do, nada! My spirits like the local flora in this brutal heat wave seems to be withering.