<\/p>\n
The Fruit Corner, a greengrocer\u2019s store, occupies the same spot in New Haven since the Amato family first opened it some forty years ago. The current proprietors are third generation Amato greengrocers. However, unlike greengrocer stores throughout the world, and especially the east coast, The Fruit Corner does not put their wares on display outside the store. They are also not given to window displays. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n\u00a0This is Not Self Service\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nInside, signs are posted around the store: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This is not self-service! <\/strong>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ask for help!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do not touch the produce!\u00a0<\/strong>
\nTo make a purchase, the customer stands in front of the desired fruit or vegetable and the Amato on duty asks questions in a tone more suited to a clinic than a grocery\u2014 \u201cWhat day do you plan to eat this?\u201d \u2014 \u201cDo you like your plums soft or hard?\u201d \u2014 \u201cIs this going into a salad or will it be served whole?\u201d The Amato then makes the selection accordingly. Time could be saved if each customer were given a clipboard and form to fill out upon entering the store\u2014perhaps the next generation.
\nMany people over the years have reached to pick up an apple or peach only to be yelled at from across the store. \u201cThe signs! Don\u2019t touch! Read the signs!\u201d
\nWhen I was in high school I worked at The Fruit Corner but I was not allowed to touch
\nany unwrapped food. I moved boxes into coolers, out of coolers, carried bags to cars, swept up, made deliveries, and touched young Mrs. Amato\u2014and she me, in the back room, while the rest of the Amato family was busy keeping watch on their precious produce.<\/p>\n