tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post6607560413504181361..comments2023-08-14T11:44:27.299-04:00Comments on Jeremiah's<br> Vanishing New York: Retzky on Little RickieJeremiah Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791516443125872364noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-68481585105092714622015-07-15T12:25:51.098-04:002015-07-15T12:25:51.098-04:00It was a few months ago that I first came upon thi...It was a few months ago that I first came upon this story on Phillip and Little Ricky's. I have gone back to it several times and each time I am immediately transported back in time- the summer heat/smells, the photos, the store names- each bringing a wave of nostalgia. I lived on 8th between C & D and worked for an 8th St. gallery. Prior to his involvement with Phillip and Little Ricky's, I knew Mitchell very well and was always inspired by him. He was a remarkable human being; talented, beautiful and funny. I was so young at the time- I almost wish I had known him more as an adult. Mitchell and I lost touch but I remember walking past Little Ricky's and seeing his photos hanging there. I missed him-and it was bittersweet to pass and see his photos. I convinced myself at the time that it was like running into him by surprise. Phillip-So sorry for your loss- these many years past,JosephJosephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10836046977463919823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-27531008712035563652015-07-15T08:22:28.335-04:002015-07-15T08:22:28.335-04:00It ws the greatest store. I bought a Cowboy Watch...It ws the greatest store. I bought a Cowboy Watch tin pin there which was just amazing!! Should have bought<br />two because some one lifted it off my jacket. It must have been from the fifties - God knows where he found all this wonderful stuff!<br />Susannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-42603412089118050112015-04-23T12:53:56.000-04:002015-04-23T12:53:56.000-04:00This was definitely a wonderful one of a kind plac...This was definitely a wonderful one of a kind place that I wish was still here. Philip is missed so so much. Even though I never met him, I remember this shop and bought many things here that I still treasure. In my fantasies, Philip opens a Little Ricky 2 in the same spot with all the same great stuff. If only...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-90869061003531192262014-12-16T20:46:26.150-05:002014-12-16T20:46:26.150-05:00I was there in NYC and I remember the day I came a...I was there in NYC and I remember the day I came across a new tiny little store on 1st. Little Ricky's had just opened and the moment I went in I knew I was among kindred spirits. I soon found out the owners were Phillip and Mitchell. The same as mine, Mitchell, and my then partner Phillip. Later inspired by the store and on Phillip's suggestion, I started making little bolo ties out of plastic shoes. It never went anywhere but I am so happy now that I had a little spec. of being part of what Little Ricky was always about. Inclusion. love for the strange and wonderful and a huge sense of humor. Now at 57 and living in Boston I think about Little Ricky's very often.It was more than a place. It was the heart of an East Village only we got to see and be a part of. AIDS brought so many of us horror and grieving. The mood just wasn't right for Little Ricky. Our wonderful playhouse closed. When Mitchell died I knew it was never going to be the same. I grieved for him and Phillip without them ever really knowing me well. Still, for some reason the news felt like a family remember had passed. I think, in fact, that was true. Here's to you Phillip, I'm glad to see you have continued to have a good life.Pugzzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18156324566449432642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-82906974280125467952013-02-08T17:05:02.465-05:002013-02-08T17:05:02.465-05:00I am the executive director of a historic preserva...I am the executive director of a historic preservation group in Albany, NY but used to frequent this fantastic store when I lived in NYC in the '80's. Gosh, Phillip, I wish we had a conversation then. I say what you are saying here, every day of my job. I don't know how the American public does not get this. We have lost so much and with the powers and greed of our electeds, we stand to lose so much more. Check out what is going on in NYC--my colleague historic preservation groups are fighting for the soul of the City. Thank you for being there to teach us things when we didn't even know we absorbed them! Best of luck to you in yr endeavors and I would love to see the photo booth book :)Susan Holland, Historic Albany FoundationAunt Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14423009796308227484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-60311622286840157422012-12-09T16:48:58.174-05:002012-12-09T16:48:58.174-05:00Did you see this piece in the Wall Street Journal ...Did you see this piece in the Wall Street Journal about Phillip's house in Santa Fe? He is selling it and hopes to get over a million for it and he is coming back to NYC to open a new Little Rickie. Can't wait to have him back and am thrilled to see he did so well for himself. An East Village success story.<br /><br />http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2012/01/04/real-estate-news-general-growth-starts-year-with-gamble/tab/slideshow/#slide/11Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-67290382458304174512012-11-14T10:34:11.708-05:002012-11-14T10:34:11.708-05:00I used to rehearse in a basement around the corner...I used to rehearse in a basement around the corner from Little Rickies. In between weekend sessions, we'd pop in to say hi to the fellas, who were always the nicest, friendliest guys you could hope for. I did all my holiday shopping there.<br /><br />To me, Little Rickies was the epicenter of an amazing super-creative universe that existed briefly in NYC. I still have my b/w photos taken in that booth!! It really was Pee Wee's Playhouse come to life. When it closed, I believed it was a deathknell for the EV...<br /><br /> I will always have the fondest memories though. I still see imitators across North America, but none could ever top Little Rickie's sense of humour, community, and sublime cleverness. <br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />SteveAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16335964162126542910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-28120710770573363812012-05-23T11:35:34.554-04:002012-05-23T11:35:34.554-04:00Great article, I loved Little Ricky and the mad cr...Great article, I loved Little Ricky and the mad creative energy that fizzed and bubbled in the EV back in the 80's. The late Craig Coleman, artist and all round wonderful crazy friend and I would swoop down on Little Ricky and giggle like Hyenas. Phillip, always gracious and welcoming would indulge us. trying on and examining everything. I have a fabulous collection of cast iron mechanical saving's bank that I bought there along with who know what else. The place was a treasure trove and Phillip was at the epicentre.Joy Sticknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-90794836608664319822012-04-18T10:56:27.771-04:002012-04-18T10:56:27.771-04:00I loved this store dearly! Thank you for this inte...I loved this store dearly! Thank you for this interview & the pictures!Viola Lyntenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-14885911233961239362012-04-14T07:41:23.804-04:002012-04-14T07:41:23.804-04:00Are there any novelty stores left in NYC?Are there any novelty stores left in NYC?C.L. Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02557542416112038590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-87646061197338729332012-04-12T12:54:28.098-04:002012-04-12T12:54:28.098-04:00Mitchell was a friend of mine in the mid to late &...Mitchell was a friend of mine in the mid to late '80s. We became pals at the Westside Y. He was an original. I'll always remember him describing his sartorial style as "dressing for harassment."<br /><br />FreddieFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15216832819242680517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-18942391140307799882012-03-15T09:53:53.607-04:002012-03-15T09:53:53.607-04:00I miss this store a lot. Thanks a bunch for the i...I miss this store a lot. Thanks a bunch for the interview - it put a more personal spin on the charming memories that I have of the place.Jasonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-27798330561681411422012-03-14T19:30:34.717-04:002012-03-14T19:30:34.717-04:00I left the EV 2 years ago after almost 20 years of...I left the EV 2 years ago after almost 20 years of residency. It really is done now, and it is such a shame. It was such a special place when I first got there in 1990. So happy to have at least had a few good years there before the gentrification started. The Bar will probably always be my favorite bar in the whole world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-10740790234211818632012-03-13T17:12:13.298-04:002012-03-13T17:12:13.298-04:00This was such a great interview—I walk by that cor...This was such a great interview—I walk by that corner and it just makes me sad now. I still have the Elvis clock my mom bought me from there. Sigh. Come back to New York and make retail fun again, please!Judyhttp://badadvice.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-39145523886591120622012-03-13T08:04:24.645-04:002012-03-13T08:04:24.645-04:00I still have my photos from Little Ricky's - c...I still have my photos from Little Ricky's - cried when the place closed! Thank you so much for this article - I always wondered what happened and had heard about the Starbucks thing back in the day...RIP EV NYC...2LipsinHollandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12313661365203033154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-33025956315764154942012-03-09T16:17:18.789-05:002012-03-09T16:17:18.789-05:00Thanks EV Grieve, and thanks Phillip, for a great ...Thanks EV Grieve, and thanks Phillip, for a great interview. I'm so not surprised that Phillip went on to help others as a therapist, and hope he'll come back to NYC...though yes, the shock over how its changing...the owners of the old Little Ricky's building are the perfect example of greedy monsters poisoning the waters. I'm just glad I have the memories! Every year around Xmas-time I'd see Tim Robbins leaving with armfuls of shopping bags, prob presents for Susan!Jocelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01908449545257979582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-55257384299706842942012-03-08T21:55:53.422-05:002012-03-08T21:55:53.422-05:00What a wonderful article! What a wonderful store!...What a wonderful article! What a wonderful store!<br />Little Rickie was a gem - we all loved it! It was total fantasy and spoke to the kid in all of us. A wonderful showcase for Philip's genius. It enriched all of our lives.tziporahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10864874043271812345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-75739326694113273862012-03-08T13:51:37.912-05:002012-03-08T13:51:37.912-05:00a great story of a great place. thanks for the me...a great story of a great place. thanks for the memories of that photobooth...rjnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-22168899144797685632012-03-07T22:00:40.332-05:002012-03-07T22:00:40.332-05:00So happy to read this. I've wondered for years...So happy to read this. I've wondered for years what became of Phillip - always expecting to run into him on the block. I especially appreciate him mentioning the Army Navy store--there was one on the corner of 1st & 4th too, & you bought boots in one, t-shirts in the other. Like everyone, I loved Little Rickie. Last time I looked, the name is still in the sidewalk on First Street. Yay Phillip!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-36612143344236284642012-03-07T21:20:15.540-05:002012-03-07T21:20:15.540-05:00Still remember the triple-take when I saw the firs...Still remember the triple-take when I saw the first FuckStarbucks sticker in the window.....and the following 10 minutes of heads-back rip-roarin' laughter.<br />Wonderful store....wonderful owner.....wonderfull post.....thanks all!DrBOPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07179469265158025584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-71382923300133069242012-03-07T07:34:20.742-05:002012-03-07T07:34:20.742-05:00Wonderful, Jeremiah. Just great.Wonderful, Jeremiah. Just great.JMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09876016557456927299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-5460435033823082782012-03-06T16:01:12.422-05:002012-03-06T16:01:12.422-05:00loved to read this in helsinkiloved to read this in helsinkiP2Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07431638897461056059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-80403285694851328452012-03-06T13:45:28.063-05:002012-03-06T13:45:28.063-05:00J, this is great! Read about Little Ricky. When I ...J, this is great! Read about Little Ricky. When I got around to seeing it, it had closed. Phillip, please put all this in a book. Am sure it could be well illustrated with many wonderful photos. Please ple3ase!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-82271918115645566682012-03-06T13:04:31.531-05:002012-03-06T13:04:31.531-05:00Thanks again for another great history lesson. The...Thanks again for another great history lesson. The mention of Bink and Bink sent me waaay back.<br />--BabyDaveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-683382864156505640.post-34133485618999071622012-03-06T13:00:12.543-05:002012-03-06T13:00:12.543-05:00Phillip is great--he shared so much of himself in ...Phillip is great--he shared so much of himself in this interview, as he obviously does in other aspects of life. wish there were more like him in the EV today.Jeremiah Mosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791516443125872364noreply@blogger.com