City Lights? Flash Lights? Beat it.

Another Tale From Retail

One of favorite, and loyal, SD retail customers was poet Gary Snyder. And one Saturday he walked onto the retail floor with fellow poet, and beat icon, Allen Ginsberg in tow.

Snyder engaged Paul Kramer in conversation about shelter systems while Ginsberg wandered around aimlessly. That is until he approached the sales desk and asked to see a flashlight. I pulled out the three models we carried.

“I don’t like them, “Ginsberg said barely glancing at them, “I want one like Gary has. He said he bought it here.”

“He did but unfortunately the maker of that flashlight went out of business.”

“I don’t care, “Ginsberg responded with a whine, “I still want one like Gary’s.”

“But you see, “ I started to reply only to be cut off by Snyder’s calm voice coming from behind Ginsberg saying, “let it go Allen, let it go.”

He reluctantly did.

And that was our Beat retail moment.