I ventured in there yesterday to purchase a siddur containing the selichot (penitential prayers for fast days). There were too many employees for such a paltry showroom. Garbage, boxes, and packing materials were strwn all over the floors, and the sefarim shelves were so cramped together in such a small space that it was nearly impossible to pass through the aisles and peruse the stock (whether this b'shogeg, or b'meizid is another story, and for those of you who don't know that that means and should get themselves to a Jewish bookstore quickly, that is to say, deliberately, or by error). This store didn't seem very remarkable in terms of selection, but they do carry many Jewish learning periodicals, and I am sure the Habadskers that hang out in the 770 shul across the street find this very convenient for their purposes, as it is right across the street from the shul. A surly young bloke asked me quite rudely what I wanted when I ventured into the sefarim area, and when I told him, he handed me the larger size of the book, which comes in a smaller size, as well (of course, the smaller size is cheaper). Now, I am certain these salesmen do not work on commission, so it could be that he had some stake in increasing the bottom line (a relation to the elderly, bearded owner, perhaps). When I asked if I could receive a discount, since I am an educator (I had paperwork on me showing I was working as a one-on-one therapist with an Orthodox Jewish agency), the elderly owner essentially laughed at me, and said there was no discount beyond not being charged sales tax. I took my business to another, roomier, larger store in the neighborhood, where the salespeople are kinder, more helpful, and where the business practices are more just and compassionate, and where they were selling the smaller-sized book for $26. read more
