For the last 21 years, Cosmo and Mary Cassetta have
run "Cosmo's Cards and Collectibles," a small shop on Williamsbridge
Road obscured by a Spider Man banner.
"It was more of a hobby for him," says
Mary Cassetta, of her husband opening the store in 1991 when he retired after
25 years of working for the Department of Parks & Recreation.
Cosmo's will close for good Tuesday morning, as the
couple gets set to retire.
While comic books and paraphernalia still lined the walls, hand-stenciled signs in the window urged that "Everything Must Go!"
Mary, a thin woman dressed head to toe in denim,
fondly watches her husband help a regular customer and
his son in between their
chatter about each other’s families.
The Cassettas insists that the economy hasn't affected them, as it has similar stores that have been forced to close, because they weren't doing it for the paycheck.
The store in Westchester Square evolved from the simple baseball cards collected by their son Richie, now 34 and still helping at the shop.
It has sold "everything you can think
of," according to 77-year-old Cosmo Cassetta, including Marvel and DC
comic books, sports cards, posters, action figures and all kinds of toys.
"They're good people," says local Mike
Scharvella, 55, a regular at the store for the last 13 years. "Always
treated me right, that's for sure." Scharvella says he will miss the
store, and the Cassettas.
Mary Cassetta, whose eyes teared up thinking of the customers and their families that she has
grown to love over the years, told of the parting gifts her husband has received as the store has prepared for its last days;
some odd, some heartfelt, such as a bathrobe and bottles of champagne.
"I'm not moving to Florida," Cosmo asserts
of his future, laughing. After the shop is closed, the couple looks forward to
traveling, fishing, and "just relaxing."
The merchandise not sold by the time the store
closes its doors will be put in storage and sold on Amazon.com and Ebay.
No comments:
Post a Comment