file photo of D’Moni
Reader points out how Ridgewood merchants are their own worse enemy
At the 4th of July parade, I stopped in front of D’Moni on Ridgewood Ave. to take a breather while watching the parade and I was promptly asked by D’Moni staff to move along. The staffer camped out in the doorway told me that I was blocking their window (and their 8″ x 10″ flag stuffed in a purse . . . what a show of patriotism!) and they were hoping photo ops. as the parade came by. She was actually telling kids at the curb to keep their ballons and small flags down so as to not block the view of the store. I nicely told her that the sidewalk was public. I eventually moved down to the curb but continued to watch her harass parade viewers (who repeatedly responded as I had). In all of my years here, it was one of the most bizarre things I have seen and I was left thinking “a nice lesson for the kids – – NOT
This is about your right to be on a public sidewalk – with or without the parade.
What were they thinking? Would they have called the police if you did not move?
I pointed out the the staffer, it is a public sidewalk and I am free to stand there if I wish. My point about a lesson to kids was that this person was setting a horrible example by chasing and harassing parade goers for the sake of a photo op. for her store.
I politely told them were plenty of police around and to get one if they wanted. Instead the staffer telephoned her boss who told her to offer us chairs so we would no longer be standing andtherefore blocking less of the window (good thinking but if I wanted a chair I would have had one with me). The owner also had the staffer move the tiny flag from inside the purse to adjacent to the door.
yes, idiots and I will NEVER set foot in that store. I couldn’t believe an E. Ridgewood Ave. shop would actually harass residents at the parade. Bad move .
D’Moni Womens Apparel is 48 E Ridgewood Ave
They did offer you chairs. That was nice of them. Things are not all bad.
Offering us chairs was self-serving . . . they wanted us lower on their window but sitting in chairs behind others who were already in chairs at the curb would have resulted in two unacceptable conditions: 1) we would have been completely blocking the sidewalk and 2) we wouldn’t have been able to have a clear view of the parade because others were seated in front along the curb.
We were only stopping for a breathe BEFORE the parade began when this occurred, and we told the staffer we would be moving along, but she was so insistant that we move immediately that we stayed for a few minutes into the parade. We did grab a seat on the curb when the parade began so we were not “blocking” her window but other parade goers filled in our spot and she continued to harass them.
I won’t be shopping in D’Moni any time soon.
Stupid people do stupid things all the more not to shop at this store.
At Creatively Yours, between Ridgewood Running and Leaping Lizards, the store was open, air conditioned, people were painting and doing glass fusion, a holiday weekend discount was in effect. Chairs were available outside for anyone, and all were welcome to step inside to cool off or use the bathroom. The owner is the greatest, so community minded and friendly.
I was down a few doors and saw the woman chasing people off of the sidewalk and I was wondering why; now I know.
Did someone forget to tell the owner that the parade is a tradition in Ridgewood meant to attract shoppers to the CBD not chase them away?
#4 – very good to know. I’ll patronize them.
I couldn’t see past the concrete albatross (aka the GTM illegal planter)
What ever happened with GTM illegal planter? He was suppose to go to court in Glen Rock many month ago. I guess it’s good to know Mayor Paul Aronsohn .You can get away with anything.
The return policies of some merchants concern me. Some have no return and others have store credit only.One had a store credit only return for 7 days only. I mistakenly purchased a birthday present 3 days before the party. The recipient did not try to return it for a few days and we exceeded the 7 day limit (with the receipt).
The GTM “planters” are awful and dangerous.
The GTM guy brags ” he works with the mayor”. That means he gets a free pass.