Memories of Olde New York: Union Square

Union Square has changed a lot over the years. Until fairly recently there was nothing on the south side of the park, no Whole Foods, no Shoegasm, no Nutz4Nuts cart. Pretty much a wasteland. A Lionel Kiddie City toy store stood on the east side, which later became a Toys ‘R Us, which begat a Babies ‘R Us. It was the Benjamin Button of toy store locations.

Once when it was a Toys ‘R Us, a man was leaving the store as I was headed in. I reached the door first and held it open for him. It’s a move that just makes it easier for whomever’s coming and going.

So I held the door open and out he walked without ever saying “thanks.” That’s really all you have to do when someone holds the door open. As easy as holding the door is, saying “thanks” is somehow easier. So job half done on his part.

That’s when I laid it out - “You’re welcome, Rick Ocasek.” because it was Rick Ocasek, the in demand producer and vocalist for The Cars who left and didn’t say “thank you” as the door was held open for him.

And that’s what New York was like circa 2002.