It's been nearly four months since the fire and almost as long for a new post on this blog. But both my silence and the wait to open the store are over today. As of 10:30 a.m this morning, we gently opened the doors of the store and waited for everyone to come back. After one completely false start, I wasn't sure what to expect today. But by the time I left, I'm so glad that I put in what I did into the opening. For every messed-up rack, and I assure you every single one save the Eastern religion one was, there were some very happy customers who'd really missed being in the store. I've never seen strangers so happy to see me. A number of them treat the store like it's a library but you know what, I don't think I mind any more.
Now that the day is done, I still don't know if I hate or I love the shop-floor buzz but I do know that over the last few weeks and especially today, it has somewhat been every day. And so, to the about-to-be-published author, the graphic novel-loving owners of a DVD company, the lady whose name I cannot remember, the friend who dropped in to buy a book once I was gone, and the French gentleman who always inquires after Beckett - thank you for making my day. Thank you for making me proud of me. My special thanks to the crazy lady who clutched my arm and said "You're open today - all relax now."
Regular-ish programming continues after a brief and rather promising soujourn to back to my Hyderabad roots. See you then.
