When a Candy Store Isn't a Candy Store
The Times’ new blog The Local tries to go where few, if any, bloggers have gone before—inside the Putnam Candy Store. Contrary to what the store’s web site says, there is no candy to be found. Here’s the play-by-play: So the other day, at 12:30 on a brilliant afternoon, I tried the doorknob. Notwithstanding the…
The Times’ new blog The Local tries to go where few, if any, bloggers have gone before—inside the Putnam Candy Store. Contrary to what the store’s web site says, there is no candy to be found. Here’s the play-by-play:
So the other day, at 12:30 on a brilliant afternoon, I tried the doorknob. Notwithstanding the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours listed on the Web site, the door was locked. After a bit, though, it opened slowly from the inside. A 50ish man in a work uniform of some sort, holding an open tallboy of Bud, peered quizzically out from behind the door.
Um, is this the store? I asked, trying to peer past him. In the shadows I could make out the figures of two or three other men sitting and talking. The beer in the greeter’s hand was the only visible merchandise.
No, he said. Across the street. He lifted his chin in the direction of an open bodega cater-corner across Putnam and Grand and gently closed the door in my face.
The blog also gets City Councilwoman Letitia James to go on record about the store. There’s a lot of traffic, people going in and out, she told The Local. I don’t know what you’d attribute that to — a lot of people buying milk, or people buying something stronger. Grand and Putnam has been a challenge since I first got elected. It’s improved greatly but we still have our challenges, and the candy store may be one of them.
Have any readers ever been inside?
At a Local Candy Store, But Where Are the Mars Bars? [NYT/The Local] GMAP
It’s really all about the website for me. How in the… I would love to know who created it, and why. It simply defies explanation.
Wouldn’t it have taken a lot of cajones to knock on an Italian social club door? I think it would.
I do agree ENY that if it was a drug front it wouldn’t have lasted as long as it has. I would imagine that your prediction of what it is is probably close enough to the truth. Its just that they don’t seem to want just anybody going in there and that is why I think the Times guy would have been or should have been a bit nervous knocking.
“Not really. What was going to happen?”
you are right in hindsight ENY, but I can tell you that it is made clear that random people are not supposed to knock on that door.
It’s sort of like a social club in an Italian neighborhood. Some guy, maybe a retired city worker, owns the building, doesn’t have any particular incentive to fix it up, and invites his pals over to drink and hang out. His son or some young person of his acquaintance designed the Web site as an ironic calling card. I’d doubt drugs are being sold there – the place would quickly become hot and get shut down by police. Apparently, nothing of serious consequence has occurred there, although I could be wrong. Doesn’t look to nice but in the big scheme of things likely harmless. These are simply my hunches based on personal experience.
“It took a lot of cajones for that guy to knock on that door.”
Not really. What was going to happen?
OMG!!! I have always wondered what the story is with this place. Despite the fact that it looks pretty sorry, if they are doing shady business in there they keep it pretty well to themselves. I walk past this place every day and it has never impacted me negatively. That being said, it is super hilarious and bizarre that they have a website and that makes me feel like there is more than meets the eye there. Good on the NYT for trying to figure it out though. It took a lot of cajones for that guy to knock on that door.
so what the hell is this place? drug den, gun store, social club, candy store? someone please clarify.
I love that a “candy” store needs a website. If this isn’t the ultimate asshat move, what is?
Why not send postcards to the precinct captain?
Alright, so tell us, Prodigal Son, I am not defending Letitia, but what should she do? Why doesn’t it happen in the Heights or Carrol Gardens? I sincerely would love to see that corner cleaned up.