An Avenue Treasure

      If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that I’ve been basically housebound since mid-January because of a broken kneecap.  But even people on crutches have to eat, so one of my kindly neighbors, who have been of such help during this crisis, took me shopping recently.  I needed only a few things and didn’t want to spend time standing in line, leaning on my crutches, till I got to the cash register.  So we went to Monte Vista Market at the corner of Monte Vista and Piedmont Ave., where workers from several countries are among the daily workforce.  I’ve been a Monte Vista Market customer for years.  They have a good variety of produce and a kind of cookie I especially enjoy.

        I bought some produce and a package of cheese – the last one in the case.  The checkout woman looked the package over carefully.  “This one has some mold on it,” she told me.  “I’ll get you another one,” and off she went to the cooler.  She returned in a minute, shaking her head.  “This is the last one,” she said.  Then, looking at my crutches, “give me your address and I’ll bring you a good one tomorrow.”

        What?  I hesitated, not believing my ears.  But she stood there smiling her dazzling smile.  “You’ve already paid for it, and it’s no trouble for me to bring it.  I know you must live in the neighborhood.”
        So I wrote my address and phone number down for her.  The next day she called from the store – she’d be at my place in a few minutes.  And she was.  With my cheese.  That’s all - my cheese.  She had made a several minute walk to deliver a package of cheese.  There was surely no profit in that transaction.  But there was a tremendous amount of good will and community spirit which I greatly appreciated.  So now, even more than ever, I recommend Monte Vista Market to people.  Corner of Piedmont and Monte Vista. 

Check them out.  Superb service.  Good prices.  But don’t expect delivery service unless you’re on crutches.