I came of age (read; my High School years) in the early 1970’s, when Greenwich Avenue was more of a teen hangout than it is now. It was also a very different place. Most stores – Woolworth’s, Army-Navy, Rogers, and Meads – were geared toward a certain frugal Yankee sensibility. It wasn’t the chain-glam-boutique-Rodeo Dr-East it has since turned into.
Today, I spent a few minutes on the lower avenue, walking into a few unfamiliar stores and cafes. One, a Belgium patisserie opened just a few days, Le Pain Quotidien, was thrumming with friends meeting over croissants, muffins ($2.60) and filled baguettes. Mouthwatering-looking crispy artisanal breads leaned in baskets behind the counter (3ft or so baguettes a very reasonable $3.25).
The die-hard Richards (oh, how many tons of kelly green and neon pink apparel was sold from that Greenwich institution before it moved to its new digs across the street?) was hushed and nearly barren.
I poked my head into Alice and Olivia, and, perhaps due to the fact that I don’t fit the body type, or I was flogging my new GreenwichOnTheCheap blog, was ceremoniously snubbed by the manager/salesgirl. She wore disdain like a clingy dress, letting me know in no uncertain terms that A&O “NEVER” put anything on sale. No discounts. No deals. No freebies. Nothing. ”Not even during Greenwich sidewalk sales?” I tried. ”No.” This may come as some surprise to Stacey Bendet, Alice and Olivia Founder/Designer who just launched a whole shoe line for PAYLESS, no less!
I’m bemused by those who put on airs during these economic times, especially if said airs are not theirs to wear. And to tell you the truth, I was much more comfortable across the street at girl-tchotchke-heaven, Claire’s, where the saleswoman was warm and gracious. 
Claire’s reminded me of the section of Woolworth’s my friends and I would haunt for hours on end way back when. The multi-colored nail polish hasn’t changed much, either. Except now, for five bucks, I can pick up a tri-color swirl.
