Interview #1
Margoth From Margoth Consignment Shop
Older woman but very sweet
Margoth owns a consignment shop in Yorkville. She has owned the shop for 17 years. She used to live in Yorkville but she currently does not, she did not specify where she lives now or why she moved away.
I asked about her favorite places in the area and if she recommended and restaurants or bars and she told me about a restaurant called Amber. She told me that “Everyone is so nice and the food is very inexpensive and its very good. Fresh and tasty.”
I asked about regulars to her shop and she told me that she has several customers that are “regulars” and she knows their names and they come in frequently. She described herself as a regular at Amber which is the restaurant that she told me about previously. She said she “knows everybody. They are so nice and friendly.” Margoth has been going there for many years.
I asked about the Q line opening recently and if it affected her business or her personal life at all. “It doesn’t affect me. They just jump on the Q and it’s a lot easier.”
Interview #2
Mad River Bar and Grille
Bartender, possibly John, possibly the owner,
Older man, very rude
Seemed in a hurry even though the bar was empty. Right off the bat, he was rude and a bit aggressive. He agreed to talk to me and answer a few questions as long as they weren’t personal but we had to wait a while. We ordered a coke and sat at the bar while he talked to several regulars. After a while of him talking to other people and what seemed to be him doing nothing, he came over and told me I had to be quick. He was very opposed to being recorded. After the first question he said “you know what, I don’t want to answer. I just realized just that one question alone, I don’t want to answer any questions.”
He walked away and walked over to a group of regulars at the bar and began what I can only describe as “gossiping” about us to them. After he saw that I was staring, he said “what group are you guys with?” and after I told him that I was from Parsons he went back to talking to the group of guys at the other end of the bar.
He proceeded to ignore me until I had to grab his attention to pay for the coke. As I was paying, another man come up to pay for his meal and drinks. The bartender proceeds to call the customer by name (Dale), ask him several details about his life, and then says “See you next week.”
It was very apparent that if you’re not a regular, then you’re shut out and not treated with the same respect and service as those that frequent the establishment. Definitely not a place that I would ever go back to.
Interview #3
George
Tisane Pharmacy/ Café
He does not live in the area but he has worked at the café for 4 years and the café has been there for 7 years.
I asked about any regulars to the café and he said that a lot of people come to the café regularly “especially old people.” The café was located inside a pharmacy so this made sense. While people are waiting for their prescriptions, they can sit and get a coffee.
I wanted to know more about the weird combination of a pharmacy and acafé. I wanted to know how it happened and who thought of it. “No, its weird, I know it is but I have no idea how it happened.” And then he talked about people getting coffee while they wait for their prescriptions.
“I think the Q is just…its, it’s another transport for people who live here, to get out of here.”
As I was leaving he said “It’s a lot of families and especially older people live here in the area. I know a couple people that live here but are moving to downtown because they work in the offices. Everything here is more quiet. Upper east side is very quiet, Upper West Side is better.”
