YEs, this is one of the few old fashioned bakeries around in the city, where the pastries are made on the premises...But the owner, a middle aged greek man, is anything but friendly. On Xmas eve, standing for 10 minutes waitng for service, I made the mistake of tossing my empty juice container into the tash can behind the counter. It missed. I quickly apologized. The bakery became dead silent for a moment, a pause in the customer-patron transaction I thought...when the silence was broken with the gruff sounding voice of the owne: "You just threw that?" I coldn't see him behind the counter in the back, but his voice was serious as if addressing a criminal perhaps. "Yes," I repllied. And I repeated that I was sorry. "There are garbage cans outside," he said. I repeated again that I was sorry. Sounds of bakery business resumed, but the air was so tense that after waiting another 5 minutes I left the store. Since this place is directly across the street from my apartment, I went in two days later. To my dismay, the disgruntled owner was there serving. The holidays hadn't simmered him down because we had another squimmish. This time un-provoked, I might add. After informing me that my favorite item, tea biscuits were no longer available, he makes a circular motion with his left hand by his face. Though he is not looking at me, I think for a moment, maybe he is scanning the place to see if there are any left. Because I don't want to miss this gesture of good will, I ask him, what the hand movement means. I realize too late that it is a signal to his help outside to prop up the awning. "I am not crazy, going to Bellview."
"I didn't say that.." I said. But to make a short story short, it ended up with Mr. Man telling me to mind my own business, and me saying, his customer relations sucked. Merry Xmas, Mr. Scrouge. Why don't you sell vinegar instead, you old soul puss.