A tear and Top 10 for Whaley’s
August 6th, 2008 by Wade Tatangelo in News
The closing of Whaley’s Market in SoHo has me in a sad, blue funk. I live within short walking distance and eat/shop there regularly. The establishment’s $5 sandwiches — “ham and swiss on rye, lettuce, tomato, a little deli mustard, please” — are an integral part of my diet. Same goes for the Best of the Bay-winning, FREE crackers and dip.
I never once went home from there with a poorly prepared meal or deficient ham on rye. Great produce, too. The Figi apples were my favorite. The BBQ. The pulled pork sandwich. Good stuff all around. And never once had bad service at Whaley’s. That’s saying a lot, folks. I’m not easy to please. I’m going to miss that place. I could count on it, y’know?
In honor of this fine family business that’s been around for nearly 75 years, I’ll shed a manly tear and offer a Top 10 list. I’m in a sentimental mood. Frustrated at the things I can’t control. Yeah, well, like that sweet old song says, all I can do is write about it. Wish I could do more.
Top 10: Songs for Whaley’s
1. “All I Can Do Is Write About It,” Lynyrd Skynyrd
2. “No Surprises,” Radiohead
3. “Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye,” Leonard Cohen
4. “Tears of Rage,” Bob Dylan
5. “(I Know) I’m Losing You,” The Temptations
6. “Are the Good Times Really Over (Wish a Buck Was Still Silver),” Merle Haggard
7. “Memory Motel,” The Rolling Stones
8. “Hello Goodbye,” The Beatles
9. “End of the Line,” Traveling Wilburys
10. “A Lot of Days Are Gone,” Hacienda Brothers
August 6th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I, too, am tragically saddened by the demise of Whaley’s. The fresh meat, the smoked salmon that I crave, the locally grown vegetables that will never see a Publix (greenwise or not), and the effusively friendly counter and cash register people I call friends. RIP Whaley’s, I’ll miss you and your convenience.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
this accentuates how imperative it is that we support our local, independent businesses befor this town turns into a rubber stamp!
August 6th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Lee: I couldn’t agree with you more!
August 7th, 2008 at 2:42 am
WOW, i was just talking with someone yesterday and said as soon as the greenwise opens, whaley’s is going to go dark.
looks like it happened even sooner than i predicted.
in all fairness, this was not a huge surprise considering the recent cut backs on staff and hours… it seems they were circling the drain.
personally, i was never really a fan. it always had a funky smell in there.
wade, you will just have to go to the sweetbay instead. i know when i lived across the street from you, i walked many a night down the alley to grab some beer or a pint of ben & jerry’s.