I’m not a person who is averse to change. I can appreciate the need for progress.
I provide this caveat only to say: I’m not usually this guy. You know, the guy who grumbles and bitches every time something minor in his community changes.
But dammit, the local grocery store just stepped in it again.
Hartman’s grocery store removed a communal seating area and their ancient rickety mom-and-pop stand up piano. Here is Spacing Ottawa’s Evan Thornton on the scene via Audio Boo:
OK,OK I can hear my friends now:
“Really, Ian…what’s the big deal? It’s a piano. They own the store. Let them be.”
Oh, I wish I could. But this piano thing is really bugging me. Why? Because, despite being Centretown’s only grocer – Hartman’s lacks a sensitivity to the community that supports it. From their insensitive comments about the Village to the “community kitchen” that is barely in use – it’s not a store singing in tune with the neighbours.
More specifically here are my main reasons for being disappointed in the Hartman’s management decision to scrap the piano and seats:
- Getting access to a piano is tough; this specific instrument – while never in tune – was frequently used by at least four players. I always admired the Hartman’s folks sticking with the piano through all the renovations. It was a highlight.
- That old rickety old mom-and-pop piano was part of the Hartman’s brand; while I’m sure no one one said “I go to Hartman’s for the piano.” it sure did brighten my day when music was being played.
- The seating area was one of the very few places all kinds of people sat and conversed: white collar and blue, with home or without. Working or not in the area; folks talked around those little tables. The price of entry was low – a small item or drink – but the value to the community was immeasurable.
photo by Knitnut
Editor’s note: for a story about just how much the music at Hartman’s meant to some area seniors see the excellent Knitnut blog post linked to from the photo credit. The Facebook group created to bring the piano back is here.
4 comments
maybe harper had something to do with it!! more cuts in the arts budget?
The man playing the guitar is the owner of Jazz’00 on Sparks Street.
Hartman’s may be the only supermarket, but it’s not the only grocer. Boushey’s has been around for 120 years, and Herb & Spice is nearby on Bank.
But I’ve been avoiding Hartman’s after their active opposition to the gay village (at least the BIA is just ambivalent to it). The last two times I was at Hartman’s, both later at night, I’ve noticed the self-checkout machines, and what looks like many fewer staff. I was in there on Saturday looking for a specific item (a particular type of rigid plastic cutlery–they didn’t have it), and noticed new barricades by the door–I didn’t even notice the absent piano, but I did subconsciously realize something was very different in that corner.
I’ve been shopping at the Loblaw’s on Pretoria lately for stuff I can’t get at Boushey’s and Herb & Spice. While it’s got a 1950’s car-oriented design, it also has a 1950’s customer service, and the cashiers tend to be very friendly, even at the end of their shift. I hope they don’t get replaced with machines anytime soon.
– RG>
Well said RG; indeed Boushey’s and Herb & Spice are grocers. I should have written full-service grocer – or better as you suggested supermarket. For a lot of people Hartman’s is the only place they have access to – cost, mobility issues being most at play here.
But this also brings up another fascinating discussion about which stores people frequent for what reasons. An issues I’ll look to explore in the Village area soon.
Thanks for the correction and comment.
Ian.