A Heartwarming Story About Hercules' Fancy Grocery

Ah...Americans and their enterprising ideas. This is a news story about Hercules Fancy Grocery. A store in New York City's West Village. You see, after 40 years in business, Hercules was threatened with losing the lease on his store earlier this year. Unable to raise enough funds to pay his creditors, Hercules prepared to close his store. From the original article, I learned, Hercules Fancy Grocery is a neighborhood fixture that locals have grown to love. They liken it to "Cheers" in terms of the bond engendered with Hercules and his fancy grocery store. Although I've never watched Cheers, I do however, understand the camaraderie and love that is bonded in neighborhoods, be it-stores, local parks, or the lovable eccentric of the neighborhood.

So enter Jody Gnant. She decides she would like to help Hercules to remain in his store. When talking with friends and others they come up with the brilliant idea to buy everything in Hercules Fancy Grocery. Everything! Twenty-thousand dollars is withdrawn from the bank and Julie and her friends descend upon Hercules Fancy Grocery. With cameras, a U-Haul truck and a band of helpers, they announce to Hercules' disbelief, that they are purchasing everything. Now you know, this is heart-wrenching and Hercules does fight back tears when he realizes, it is no joke. So over the course of the next six hours the group of seven go on a shopping spree. The group totally cleans out the every shelf. Their tab? Is a receipt 57 feet long.

As for the goods they purchased, the group is re-selling the items as works of art, in another truly kind-hearted gesture to help Hercules. The proceeds from their sales will help Hercules, either remain in his store (there were some legal proceedings where Hercules did not receive a favorable ruling) or, help him purchase another store. Even better, you can watch the video on Etsy courtesy of youtube. Here's rooting for a story that ends happily ever after.