Pet Store around 7th Ave 5th St

drano

LongTimeSloper wrote: Ok-they might not be the smiley friendly type of people-but, come on!


Drano-are you talking about Al's Toyland by any chance? Or, the toy store that was on the other corner for like 5 minutes way back when? the place that had the bear blowing bubbles outside?

Al's Toyland! That's it, I had forgotten the name. It wasn't well stocked when I went in there, but everything they did have seemed pretty old and dusty - like they had made the decision to go out of business 15 years prior but were determined to stay open until every last thing had been sold fair and square.

If there had been music playing when I walked in, the needle would have scratched off the record. There were 3 or 4 people behind the counter and they stopped what they were doing to give me the eye, then completely ignored me for the rest of my short visit.

longtimesloper

I have to say-I loved that store! it was the only toy store in the neighborhood that had regular every day toys. Like, you could actually get something there that you saw on TV. Not everything was educational and artsy fartsy. it was also a great place to get the "hot" item of the time. I remember being able to get video games there for my older child that were just sold out everywhere else. Loved that store-wish it were still around.

And, yes, it was dark and dingy looking, but, they had stuff! though, I must agree with you and say that I wouldn't have been at all shocked if the guys behind the counter would have sold me a bag of weed along with a Scrabble set or something-LOL!

wernberber

[quote="littlegal"] It was a younger man and he was openly annoyed when I had to ask him to take a dog treat off my final bill b/c it cost more then I thought and I was a little short on cash.


I had a similar situation the other day with the younger guy, but I figured he was unfamiliar with giving me a credit. He had to page someone (i'm assuming the older guy) and have him walk him through the process. all that said, i'd hardly say they are "rude." Brusque, maybe.

And I agree that the burka comment was totally uncalled for.

drano

LongTimeSloper wrote: I have to say-I loved that store! it was the only toy store in the neighborhood that had regular every day toys. Like, you could actually get something there that you saw on TV. Not everything was educational and artsy fartsy.

It's true, I definitely remember they had actual toys - not Like-A-Bikes and various wooden junk. I also remember seeing a toy from The Black Hole (released 1979) on the shelf and this was in the mid-1990's. Heck, if eBay had been around I could have made a killing off that place.

slope4-35yrs

Subject: More

I am the OP about whom, apparently, a lot of generalizations were made back in December because I had made an unPC generalization in my original post. I haven't been back to check since - or to defend my reputation.

I am not a difficult or kooky customer. Once, when I was in the market for a soft cat carrier, I asked the young man (son? nephew?) for them and he pointed to one hung from the ceiling. I asked if I could look at it and he gave me big attitude, as if I was asking too much. He got it down, I examined it and bought it - for a goodly amount, I may add.

That basically has been my experience every time I've gone in. Lots of attitude. There was another pet store, now gone, located at Union and 4th, where I stopped all the time. There, I believe the clerk was also Middle Eastern or a similar ethnicity and I never had a problem. They had a store cat that seemed to be a happy camper. I was sorry to see that store disappear.

I felt that I'd done nothing more the few times I shopped there than to ask a question in a polite manner.

rose

Carmen wrote: I think the 15th st pet store is a front of some kind- there's always 4 or 5 guys milling around outside of it, and its ALWAYS open when I find odd for a petstore.

I believe it's a family business, and that at least one of the young men who hangs around out front is a son of the owner/manager. I think the others are additional family members or friends of the son. They are put to work as needed and they are all perfectly helpful and pleasant. If you want a local petshop where the owner will remember you and your pet, this is the place. The owner is very friendly and gives good pet advice. I don't think it's a front for anything.

laura

I used to go to Four & a Tail all the time when I lived nearby (I moved a couple years ago ... I still stop in occasionally when I'm in the old nabe) and in 14 years I never had the slightest problem. Sure they're not super-smiley "can I help you" types but frankly that's what I prefer in most stores. And yes, Sammy can give off a brusque and over-worked vibe (I suspect that retail was not his best career choice), but if you offer some light conversation and kidding he warms up. And the younger guys were always helpful. So, no problems here.

kelli

I have always found them helpful and polite, but then I've never accused them of funneling money to al-queda or wanting me in a burka.

laura

kelli wrote: I have always found them helpful and polite

Yeah, I'm not getting the "lots of attitude" accusation, they were always helpful about getting things down from a high shelf for me or answering questions about products. And if I was loading up with cat food cans in my arms or litter one of the guys would take them off me and up to the counter.

babinsky195

Subject: Re: Pet Store around 7th Ave & 5th St

Completely agree. This was a rather racist statement.

Livetotravel wrote: [quote=Slope4-35Yrs] I get the feeling that they think I should shut up and put on a burqua.

Would you have said that if you thought the men were born and raised in Bay Ridge?

My wife and I have been going there for over 7 years and the owner, though very quiet, is also very polite. His younger family member is even more quiet.

Quiet should never be interpreted as rude. But your statement will always, at the very best, be interpreted as rude.

BTW the correct spelling is either burka, burkha, bourkha, or burqa!

filmlover44

Rose wrote: [quote=Carmen]I think the 15th st pet store is a front of some kind- there's always 4 or 5 guys milling around outside of it, and its ALWAYS open when I find odd for a petstore.

I believe it's a family business, and that at least one of the young men who hangs around out front is a son of the owner/manager. I think the others are additional family members or friends of the son. They are put to work as needed and they are all perfectly helpful and pleasant. If you want a local petshop where the owner will remember you and your pet, this is the place. The owner is very friendly and gives good pet advice. I don't think it's a front for anything.

That's absolutely correct. And they do close. I know because I shop there all of the time and have to know their hours.