BRAGER VS MILT
Molly and Joe Brager opened their family delly next to Wilmer's corner pharmacy ten years ago. They invested just about everything they had to clean out the dregs of what the grocery store left when they folded. Show cases that had looked okay when filled with fresh fish, not only looked rusty when empty, they retained a most unpleasant odor. Joe put want ads in the paper for equipment, selected and ordered eighteen rectangular wooden tables to comfortably hold four chairs each. He and Molly sandpapered the walls smooth, painted them a soft yellow. The new linoleum floor resembled, ever so slightly, ceramic tile. It was laid over the entire surface of the delly and into the kitchen.
There was so much to do and funds were already nearing low. Molly and Joe borrowed a few thousand bucks from their parents, with a legal paper drawn up as to how and when the loan would be repaid. That was Joe's idea, not his parents. As tough as the planning and opening were, they knew customers weren't going to be breaking their door down, at least not for a long time. During preparations Joe's mom had suggested they cover the windows on the inside with Bon Ami so nobody could see what was going on. Molly and Joe paid no attention as they wanted people to look in, see how nice the place was going to be.
Money, money, money. Decent ads cost more than he expected. He located a 'John the Printer' in the yellow pages and ordered flyers to go in doorways rather than get involved with costly newspaper ads. Joe and Molly put them in vestibules themselves before the sun was high.
The Grand opening was not grand! A dozen or so customers looked around, ordered sandwiches to go, wished the newcomers good luck and left. By the end of the week they had lost money on fresh items that were no longer fresh and had to replace one chair a really fat guy sat on. When he leaned back on just two legs, he ended on the floor with the seat in his hand. He could sue Joe but made what was not a laughing matter into one.
The Brager's youth had faded but not their enthusiasm, That came later when a lot of activity began to happen in the middle of the block.
Where for years a children's shoe store had maintained a steady business, it came to an end. Mr. Radison, the proprietor, got along fantastically with the kids, their moms. But at 80 his rheumatism got him. Bending down, measuring, tying shoes, opening cartons of shipments sent him to a retirement home. It took six months until his vacant store was let to Milt Frazier. Mr. Frazier's plan was to open a bigger, fancier, more up to date delly than the Brager's. His university business training, his inherited income, jangled the nerves, tore into Mollie and Joe's hearts.
Where for years a children's shoe store had maintained a steady business, it came to an end. Mr. Radison, the proprietor, got along fantastically with the kids, their moms. But at 80 his rheumatism got him. Bending down, measuring, tying shoes, opening cartons of shipments sent him to a retirement home. It took six months until his vacant store was let to Milt Frazier. Mr. Frazier's plan was to open a bigger, fancier, more up to date delly than the Brager's. His university business training, his inherited income, jangled the nerves, tore into Mollie and Joe's hearts.
Customers, friends, had to at least try Milt's Delly Fantasy. With concerns and regrets Joe had to let Bubba, his best ever two deck Rueben sandwich maker, go. Molly wasn't even missed when she took a casual walk past Milt's at least twice a day. Her head and body held straight, she somehow managed to look in Milt's doorway to see how busy he was and report back to Joe.
The Fantasy was no longer a fantasy. Growth reared its head. On a Sunday morning, before the church crowd would come in after services, Milt stopped Molly as she passed his delly. 'Molly, I want to have a serious talk with you and Joe. How about we get together on neutral ground, like the Bistro on 12th St., say 8 p.m. next Tuesday, before the Cinema Verite' lets out at 10:45. You'll be my guests.' Molly stood stock still in front of him. Words wouldn't come out for a minute or two when she was able to answer, 'I'll ask my husband. He'll stop in later.'
A full bottle of Chianti loosened thoughts, words came easily. 'Joe,' Milt addressed both of his guests. 'We know the shoe store between us has been on the market for months. Saul is just about desperate. He stops in for his tuna melt on a bagel with crispy fries every Tues. His lease is up the end of this month. He's getting out. 'I want to enlarge the Fantasy, Joe. I've got great ideas that can include you and Molly. We'll need good legal advice, can call the new place Mike's and Joe's Extravaganza Delly' or I'll even go for ' Joe's and Mike's.' Joe responded off the top of his head, 'We'll think about it and talk to you in a few days.'
Joe's attorney had set up his and Molly's will years ago, which was
meaningless in this situation. Molly and Joe talked until three in the morning, weighing the pros and cons. What would it all mean to them? With sleep still in their eyes, the decision came easily was reached.
meaningless in this situation. Molly and Joe talked until three in the morning, weighing the pros and cons. What would it all mean to them? With sleep still in their eyes, the decision came easily was reached.
Before they could possibly change their minds, Joe called Mike early and explained he and Molly decided to call it quits themselves. 'Our lease has only four months left and we are tired of the fresh sliced rye bread, chicken soup with matzoh balls. We are going to retire and move to Israel. Mike, your equipment is in excellent shape. The slicing machines are practically new. You can have whatever you need at fabulous savings.'
He put the phone down, clapped his hands, kissed Molly and went to make the matzoh balls.
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