September 15th, 2001
Posted in News
September 15, 2001
We have entered a new era. Years from now we will look back at the summer of ‘01 as the good old days. You can sense underlying sadness at every turn. Now more than ever I am thankful for what we do at JoMart.
I always knew that most people love chocolate. But now it seems that our store has become a comfort station. A place where our family of customers, neighbors and friends can talk about love, fear, safety and the need to celebrate not only large occasions but every occasion. People are trying very hard to adjust. We all share the pain of our neighbors, our community, our city and our country. One of the joys of being a candy maker is that you are serving people who are largely happy to come to your shoppe. They come for a birthday gift, to celebrate an anniversary, or perhaps to look at wedding favors.
The events of September 11 seem to have skewed everything. We see more customers coming in to buy a small amount of chocolate for themselves to eat. Weddings have been postponed. Memorial services have been scheduled. Our role has changed. We listen to the stories, we watch somberly as the police and fire departments close the streets to prepare for the cortege of limousines and cars escorting there fallen brethren. But life goes on. We now receive requests for chocolate flags. People inquire of the New York City icons that we make out of chocolate. Customers who have moved away call or E-mail to inquire of the health and safety of us all. The relationship between the customer and the merchant seems stronger than ever. Customers who rarely speak now need to know if everyone is safe. Perhaps this new era will usher in more generosity between strangers. Hopefully there is more room for joy than for sadness. When it’s time to celebrate all the joys that life gives us JoMart will be ready. For now hug your children, tell your friends you love them, call your parents. Peace to us all.
October 6, 2001
It has been almost a month since the world changed. Parties are being planned. New parents came into the store today to plan their daughter’s christening. We talked softly about baby Kristina. Her skin was glowing with newness. It came time to count the number of favor boxes needed. While they went over the count they told me they had lost 2 neighbors. A 42 year old stock broker and their neighbors son, a 24 year old fireman.
The moods change so quickly. The more time passes the harder it seems to become. Everyone knows someone, or someone’s someone. The list is getting so long.
Confectionately yours,
Michael Rogak
Son of a Son of a Candy Maker
The key to world peace is chocolate. Think about it.