Tag: New York City

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Peeler Peddler Passes at 75: Joe Ades

When my fiance used to work in Union Square and I at home, I would walk through Washington square park to Union square and hang in the park or at the local Green market scoping for those elusive home made Apple donuts. There were many times I see this old cat, crouched over some cutting boards give his pitch for these $5 Swiss-made vegetable peelers in $1000 suits and a light British accent.

At first I was questionable of this man’s sanity and the more I saw his pitch and the rake in from it, I was amazed. This guy was out with a simple and friendly message for “the best peeler in the world” and “buy 4…. if you have friends unlike me”. He had a sense of accomplishment on his face, every time I saw him, as you would think any millionaire ceo would have. What I later learned is this guy has money, a Park Ave apartment, full 3 page article about him in Vanity Fair and goes out to all the nice restaurants in the upper west side. He survived his 4th wife and has put all his kids through college slanging vegetable peelers (or some product) for 60 years. He’s definitely a only in NYC type of character and will be missed by the community.

Here’s video of the pitch:

Here’s a bit done by NBC’s Today Show where Ades puts his wisdom in words, “Never underestimate a small amount of money gathered by hand for 60 years.”

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Way out East

Last night I met up with friends to catch some Bosa Nova jazz at Zinc and then we hit Sulli Room again. This time our friends Sleepy and Boo were putting on a gig with Jody Wisternoff spinning. Jody is half the famed duo Way out West.

The crowd filled the room this evening, as compared to last nights, however, there still was an intensity missing. Jody’s deck skills are much more on point, however, I still prefer Nick Warren’s (the other half) style much better.

I got a chance to chat with Jody for a bit, and he seemed like a cocky brit but I’m sure he’s used to much larger, sold out shows than this cave. The Gift was one of the first “progressive” tracks that got me into buying this style in 95 – early 96. It’s too bad he didn’t play up some more funk, still it was worth our admission price.

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Working 16 hours to Make 8

I just got off work, out of the office and back into my warm apartment. The ice hasn’t started but I’m thinking more about the realities of unemployment. I’m tasked this week with forecasting for the year and even if it’s not a project yet, I still have to come up with 13 Million in sales pipe. I work with thousands of customers across the country and there isn’t a one that is not hit by the economy, losing employees, cutting spending or just not working on projects right now.

My commute this morning was lightening fast, compared to most days where I feel like it’s multiball play in the 90s Checkpoint game. It’s been a long time since I didn’t have to push my way through crowds at Penn Station at 8 am. I participated in a management meeting and then, headed back to the apt to pick up a project I left behind in the morning rush out the door.

On the way down Sullivan I stopped into the sandwich nazi of SOHO: Aladoro. It’s by far my favorite shop in NYC, and Walter can craft a true balanced Italian sandwich (get the Daniella on focaccia. Unfortunately at 12:30 when I came in, he was intently watching Suspicion and hadn’t seen a customer yet. I guess those $12 sandwiches are the first to go for the lunch crowd.

My commute back up town, was notable for a lack of the usual in-your-face advertising and billboards. This trip, many were painted blank, vacant, or stripped of their usual promotions and in place local taggers throw ups. Lack of ad money I guess? I’ve seen the same thing on TV where the normal high priced ads have been replaced with law firm commercials, 5 ht energy and useless infomercial products (the snuggie?).

I made my way down Prince to the R train, and noticed none of the usual street vendors or artists were out hawkin their wears. What is happening to this city? Not only are the tourists no longer in the way (great!) but the street life is vaporizing (or just changing character). I got off at Times Square and purposely cut someone off at the turn stall and pushed a guy with a camera down the stairs just to feel better.

Then I worked till 11 pm so it’s a mute point now…