If you have a young child or grandchild in your life, it’s generally the ultimate game of “wait and see” when it comes to what string of verbiage might just be ignited by firing synapses in their cranium and pushed past their lips for all within earshot to absorb.

Those living in this existence can appreciate what Hadas Brajtman’s inital reaction was when her three year old son Lev pondered his upcoming birthday party and matter-of-factly declared a Picton grocery store would be an appropriate venue for such a celebration.

Community spaces in larger grocery stores in the city are not a rare bird. Take a tour trying to find a toilet at a Great Canadian Superstore for example and you will likely pass by meeting rooms, teaching kitchens, reservable dining areas and the like.

So to say Lev Goldfarb’s 4th Birthday was the first ever party held at a supermarket is likely a stretch. However, the unique and experiential experience was almost certainly the first time any such feting was organized locally. By the account on Page 2 today, the party was a complete success thanks to Murray Lupenette, Paul Jones and the entire Picton Metro staff who rolled out the red carpet for little Lev and his friends on Saturday.

In an ever transitioning world where self serve and ordering online are becoming the modalities of the day, the children were provided a close up look at the nuts-and-bolts of a vital hub of commerce in our community. A place where customer service and public interaction are key attributes. An impromptu social gathering centre where by-chance meet ups in the aisles with friends and neighbours can be a highlight of a cold and deary winter existence.

In this close knit community, it’s little wonder Lev didn’t have an experience with a play group friend or see a relative out on a shopping excursion and say “This is kind of cool.”

The germ of thought is one thing. Engagement is another and Brajtman’s quote at the end of the story presents it better than this ham-handed editor staring down a deadline ever could. Broaching the subject of opening staff and other restricted areas of a place of business for child’s birthday party was likely a daunting task. An engaging partner on the other end was probably a rare find as well.

But in the end, assumed noes turned into emphatic yeses, magic happened and a child’s dream was realized.

“ (Metro) didn’t brush off an idea that came their way, even though it had never been done before and even more so because it came from a three year old. Thank you for listening, for demonstrating the true heart and soul of our community and how impactful our business community is,” Brajtman said. “We also learned in this process it’s important to ask, rather than assume the answer is no, and dare to engage in conversation and ideation because you truly never know, and you may be very pleasantly surprised. I know I am inspired to take a page out of Paul Jones’s book, and hope I can play a role in doing something similar for someone else, for many others in my own line of work.“

Well stated.

-Jason Parks

PICTURING OUR COMMUNITY

Birds of a feather flock together at the open waters of the snowy Outlet river. (Cathy Caley for the Gazette)