A Novel Behind Every Façade

I recently spent a couple of magical hours in New York. Being a seasoned traveller, I avoided the busier gateways – JFK, La Guardia, Grand Central Station, Ellis Island – opting instead to access The Big Apple via a place called Jisp, just north of Amsterdam, using the most comfortable mode of transport in the world: a book.

As a writer, I am always on the lookout for stories or pictures that pique my imagination, make me wonder, force me to question the things I take for granted. In this case, I was as primed and alert as a cat in a dog kennel, because I was in Jisp to work on my third novel. My friend Bert has a wonderful holiday cottage here, nestled in among the reeds alongside a canal, where I usually spend a three-day stretch focusing completely on writing, secluded from the many distractions I have at home, save one: books.

Bert is a graphic designer and his shelves are mainly occupied with spectacular picture books about design and architecture. The book that spirited me to New York was lying on the table, demanding to be perused. I lost track of time as soon as I opened it.

Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York is a fabulous portrait gallery of “mom and pop” shops, many of which have been run by New York families for generations and almost all of which were still operating under their original name when the book was compiled. Each of the photos in the book would make a perfect cover for a novel, with the name of the store providing the title – Ideal Hosiery, Yonah Shimmel Knishery, Raul Candy Store, Olden Camera, Caffe Capri, Bay Lighting, La Borinqueña …

But the real fun began – for this novelist, at least – when I read the photo captions in which the authors/photographers James & Karla Murray  offer the reader a peek behind the façades, with a short history of each store, often recounted by the current owner. Their captions offer just enough information to let my imagination run away with me.

Let me show you what I mean. Here are some of my favourites from the book, along with excerpts from the captions, which the authors have kindly allowed me to use.

“My brother Frank was cutting meat in the store by the time he was 14.” (Ottomanelli & Sons – Bleecker Street near Seventh Avenue)

“It’s all about time. You can’t rush anything. Time is flavour in bread.” (Addeo & Sons Bakery – Hughes Avenue at East 186th Street)

“My two daughters used to stand on milk crates behind the counter and help sell candy.” (Jimmy’s Stationery & Toys – Tompkins Avenue between Jefferson Avenue and Hancock Street)

What a great way to see a side of New York that most tourists probably overlook. I hope some of these stores will still be around when I finally make it to the Big Apple to research the novel I have in mind. But I’ll have to be quick, because more than half of the stores depicted have already disappeared, say authors James & Karla Murray.

Richard de Nooy