Sunday, January 27, 2008

I'm pretty sure that the marketplace will bear out your take on this--store in question is a huge space filled with hats. This isn't SoHo. Never will be, and, as you point out, shouldn't be. I don't see a fancy hat trend hitting JP, unless you look down by the churches in Hyde Square. I feel a bit sorry for the store owners, but I'd feel sorrier to see a pricey-hat contingent swoop down upon the neighborhood. And, of course, one would like to think that Mr. Most had a better understanding of, and a better appreciation for, the neighborhood as it is. His comment would annoy, but not surprise, me if I read it in Boston magazine. Coming from the Globe it just seems ill-informed.

I long ago stopped being enraged by the Globe. We are not customers for their product, we are poor under-educated proles, privileged to read the brilliant analyses by these wunderkinder. The editorial staff is so self-absorbed that they consider the Upper West Side of Manhattan as Mecca. The Globe deserves the same treatment as their parent, the NY Times (and most of the smug, egotistical a-holes that read it): "a good leavin'-alone".

"So shouldn't you have a bit more loyalty to your city?" I didn't realize that was an editor's role. Is that what they tell writers and editors at the Phoenix? Be loyal to your city, don't criticize anything about it (certainly not its unfailingly honest politicians, fantastic drivers and open-minded minions)?

That would explain why the Phoenix is becoming increasingly irrelevant.

No, Bigyaz, I don't think Boston editors should automatically applaud the local status quo. But I also don't think they should automatically applaud when Boston gets a bit more like Manhattan.

Greetings Adam Reilly,

In your eyes I am sure you can say that Doug “walked right into this one”, but before you go twisting his words and dragging Salmagundi into a NY/Boston beef, please keep in mind that you probably should have stopped by first and checked us out. We live in Boston, and as one might expect, our store is a reflection of us.

Often our customers have said that our shop reminds them of ‘back home’, referencing different cities across the states. Therefore, the ‘back home’ reference did not start with Doug and is not specific to NY; so don’t get your hopes up that you caught him in an evil plot wishing all new businesses mentioned in the Globe Magazine’s ‘Best of New’ was secretly Globe Magazine’s ‘Best like New York’. We have had customers from Atlanta say our store reminds them of Atlanta, customers from San Francisco tell us it reminds them of San Francisco, customers from Chicago say it reminds them of Chicago, etc. In fact, just a moment ago a customer from Echo Park in Los Angeles said our store reminded her of “back home, but it’s different”. It’s different because it’s here in Boston, and Boston has a wonderful way of making everything in it very Boston. Being from here we like the feel; we also like that people feel at home in our shop. Doug, being from NY associated us with SoHo. When I think SoHo, I think boutiques, art galleries, music, and fashion. Without having an inferiority complex about New York, we at Salmagundi took Doug’s words as an endearing compliment.

If you visit our store, which is what you should have done before you called us a ‘spore’ and said we gave ‘reason to weep’, you will find it is very much JP. Salmagundi fits right in and diversifies our diverse corner of Boston even more. Please don’t consider this an attack, but an attempt to clarify. You probably didn’t mean to come off as you were attacking us when you were busy attacking Doug Most.

Cheers,
Jessen & Andria
Owners of Salmagundi

Now on to ‘Hatfree’,

‘Hatfee’ is by far one of the most poo poo posts we have seen in general. There is not much we can say about someone who has nothing but negative commentary and posts anonymously under a made up screen name. Yes, Salmagundi has an upscale feel, and we have put our love and consideration into its appearance. It seems `HatFree’ who is obviously bitter in the first place walked by, peeked in the window, and decided that we are a “pricey-hat contingent”. We are happy to disappoint ‘Hatfree’; our price point is moderate and we offer a variety of hats and accessories for the variety of people in JP and beyond to come and play with. The fact that you would think we were hoping for a ‘hat trend to hit JP’ or would only appeal to “the churches down by Hyde Square” shows you are a close minded fool with no business sense, or sense of the people of JP for that matter. The “churches down by Hyde Square” comment was a little on the prejudice side if you ask us which clearly reflects your credibility.

While we are clearing the record regarding your down trodden opinion, we are not just “a huge space filled with hats”; we are 780sq. ft. of hats, accessories, T Shirts etc for ladies and gents. Fun stuff that make people feel good: FUN, something you may want to try. We are not going to entertain the “marketplace will prove” comment, because you are just casting spells. JP has a great vibe, and it is loaded with all walks of people that support positive change as we do. Hats and accessories are a quick change for ones appearance; we are happy to offer that and the feeling it brings. We chose JP because we live in the area; we embrace its diversity, and enjoy catering to it.

To top it off you noted that you had hoped “Mr. Most had a better understanding of, and a better appreciation for, the neighborhood as it is”. Living in the area for the past 13 years and being a part of the changes that have taken place we can quite grasp what you mean. Are you trying to say that Mr. Most doesn’t appreciate the neighborhood he lives in? Let’s not forget he chose to live in JP before the “spore of SoHo” showed up.

In closing, don’t “feel bad for the owners”: on the contrary, feel sad for yourself for being so cynical and sour.

Cheers,
Jessen and Andria
Owners of Salmagundi