In Da Hood

Some new small businesses have moved into the neighborhood. A wonderful little Mexican grocery store run by a very nice, peace-loving man (whose name I forget!!! Sorry!) and a fantastic Thai restaurant called "Eddie's", owned by a man named Eddie. While I was walking the dogs today, I ran into Eddie, who is looking to buy a house close by, so he has an easier commute to his restaurant. He and his wife currently have to drive over a half-an-hour, most days and they are sick of it, even though they own a nice home on Mercer Island.

After I brought the dogs back home, I stopped into the little grocery store for some half-and-half and had a nice chat with the proprietor. I paid with my Visa debit card and the machine took several tries, before the transaction finally cleared. I wondered aloud if the "Anonymous" anarchists, were toying with the Visa payment system. These anarchists had been clogging the wheels of commerce all day, to protest the arrest of the Wikileaks founder. The grocery store guy shook his head and we talked about the importance of peace, in this world. We both used Rodney King's famous quote "Why can't we all just get along?" He shared a little story about being stuck in traffic today. He was trying to get onto the freeway and a woman driving an SUV refused to let him merge into her lane. Instead of getting pissed off, he instantly forgave her, figuring that her problems must be greater than his, in order for her to be so unkind. I mean, what a guy!

Two weeks ago, I knocked on the window of The Purple Store, opening up a few blocks away. I was surprised to see a store front for this business, as it has only existed online up until now. I knew about it because Adam, the owner, gave me great advice when I was planning a benefit for Art F/X after their Fremont gallery and gift shop went up in flames a couple of years ago. A wonderful reconnection.

I love the multiculturalism of this neighborhood. Sure, Aurora Avenue is not very glamorous. But, in a few short blocks there are great Vietnamese Pho, Thai, and Mexican Torta restaurants. A chocolate shop is next door to the Pho place. 2 martial arts dojos are less than a block away from each other. An Australian pub advertises Soccer games on its big-screen TVs. And, there is a religious place called 'I Am' just north of the PCC natural grocery store.

Small businesses, not corporations, are the real glue of a community. One-to-one connections with people who have a vested interest in the neighborhood are so much more fulfilling than driving to a big-box store miles away, and antiseptically purchasing groceries. It might be a little more expensive to shop locally, but in the end, the experience is much more gratifying.