Thanks Pete. A nice if sad story. He was my son's greengrocer as well. I shared your post with my son and we chatted after. My son and his family bought in Dully a couple of years ago, attracted in no small part to the neighborhood - their potential purchase locations were well defined and constrained. I love it when I visit, from far away, and also have good memories of my own interactions with this lovely man.
Well said Peter. These relationships are so valuable to any community and can't be replicated by the large chain stores. Daily, simple human interactions such as what you describe, are big part of the glue that makes a community.
Heartfelt, and beautifully written. It is true we do seem to develop closer relationships with small traders, especially greengrocers and butchers. I guess because we see them regularly and we know they aren't just the customer facing rep of some big company or chain, I dunno. My Italian greengrocer recently packed up and left the local car park market where he, his wife and 6 sons sold their produce for 20 years. I bought my fruit and veg from him for all of those years and saw the boys grow to adulthood, and when they left it did leave a hole in my life. Bloody ridiculous, its only fruit and veg I told myself, but when people like them leave it is a tangible loss to the whole community. Of course this story cannot, does not, compare to Pete’s in terms of loss, but often when people on the periphery of our lives suddenly depart it is only then that we realise just how much they meant to us and our daily routines.
This almost exactly the story of our relationship with “Mr Prime,” (Nick) our butcher; he was the best. He loved our black Lab Shadow, and would insist on slipping him a fistful of ground filet mignon every visit. We never worried about Shadow running away: he would make a beeline for Mr Prime. When Shadow passed Nick, his wife Nancy and son Joe were all heartbroken; Nick passed two days later and we all agreed: he went on ahead to be there to welcome his best friend “home.”
Many people seem to think Americans like shopping in huge megastores; they have their uses I suppose,
but I buy my meat from a butcher (Joe runs the shop now), my produce from a Farmer’s Market , and my bread from a bakery. It’s about family, community, and love.
I live in Dully and have witnessed Eddie's generosity a number of times while I was buying veg. Lovely man. And only a few years ago, Necta the butcher died in a motorbike accident. He was only in his 30s.
Hey Paul I'm eddies nephew it Was me that was there on Saturday holding my tears back
I thank you so much for this article Eddie would've loved it I'll never get over the respect and support I got from all of you guys thank you so much
Thanks Pete. A nice if sad story. He was my son's greengrocer as well. I shared your post with my son and we chatted after. My son and his family bought in Dully a couple of years ago, attracted in no small part to the neighborhood - their potential purchase locations were well defined and constrained. I love it when I visit, from far away, and also have good memories of my own interactions with this lovely man.
Well said Peter. These relationships are so valuable to any community and can't be replicated by the large chain stores. Daily, simple human interactions such as what you describe, are big part of the glue that makes a community.
Great stuff, comrade.
Thanks Peter. So much of this rings true, and aligns with how I view my community. Terrifically and sensitively realised.
Heartfelt, and beautifully written. It is true we do seem to develop closer relationships with small traders, especially greengrocers and butchers. I guess because we see them regularly and we know they aren't just the customer facing rep of some big company or chain, I dunno. My Italian greengrocer recently packed up and left the local car park market where he, his wife and 6 sons sold their produce for 20 years. I bought my fruit and veg from him for all of those years and saw the boys grow to adulthood, and when they left it did leave a hole in my life. Bloody ridiculous, its only fruit and veg I told myself, but when people like them leave it is a tangible loss to the whole community. Of course this story cannot, does not, compare to Pete’s in terms of loss, but often when people on the periphery of our lives suddenly depart it is only then that we realise just how much they meant to us and our daily routines.
Thanks Peter
This almost exactly the story of our relationship with “Mr Prime,” (Nick) our butcher; he was the best. He loved our black Lab Shadow, and would insist on slipping him a fistful of ground filet mignon every visit. We never worried about Shadow running away: he would make a beeline for Mr Prime. When Shadow passed Nick, his wife Nancy and son Joe were all heartbroken; Nick passed two days later and we all agreed: he went on ahead to be there to welcome his best friend “home.”
Many people seem to think Americans like shopping in huge megastores; they have their uses I suppose,
but I buy my meat from a butcher (Joe runs the shop now), my produce from a Farmer’s Market , and my bread from a bakery. It’s about family, community, and love.
Good requiem, Pete...
I live in Dully and have witnessed Eddie's generosity a number of times while I was buying veg. Lovely man. And only a few years ago, Necta the butcher died in a motorbike accident. He was only in his 30s.