[Manhattan Sideways. Photograph by Peter Nicholson]
The Source Unltd Print and Copy Shop is celebrating its 36th year of business in the same East Village location over at 331 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.
"We're planning a series of events to celebrate sticking around for so long," proprietor Santo Mollica told me in an email. (More on those events later.)
Meanwhile, the shop that Mollica runs with his wife Margaret was the subject of a recent feature on Manhattan Sideways:
Though Santo is always adapting his shop and adding new items, he says that “it’s really about the people, not the things.” The East Village veterans mentor retailers who are new on the street, and they have built relationships with customers from all walks of life. They have also been running a food drive in their store for over twenty years. “Sometimes people come in and give, other times they take,” says Santo.
When we asked the couple, in early 2018, if they ever thought about retirement, even their dog Curtis looked amused. “Retirement? I don’t know what that means,” Margaret replied. Smiling, Santo added ... “We work for ourselves. We love it. And we have to keep it up to survive. The neighborhood is always evolving, but we can’t think of a place we’d rather be.”
The Source is also one of the businesses on this block taking part in the "shopping crawl" today from 4-7. (More details about that event here.)
[Manhattan Sideways. Photograph by Peter Nicholson]
Photos reprinted with permission
Previously on EV Grieve:
Honors for one of the most unique shops in the East Village
27 comments:
Nice shop!.Nice people! (including Curtis )...been going there for a while. Typical EAST VILLAGE joint! Good to know they're around.
Oh my God, my heart stopped when I first saw this - thought it was going to be something bad but am overjoyed to see it's just the opposite. The Source is a local treasure, and Santo and Margaret are such friendly, helpful folks. Curtis, who gets dog treats from me whenever I go in, is my favorite neighborhood pup (altho I still miss his predecessor Satchmo), and the sight of his hopeful, goofy face at the counter makes the whole Source experience that much better. Congrats, and may you be around for many more years!
Simply THE BEST no doubt!!! You have to love them!!!
I LOVE THIS PLACE! They are always so helpful, warm, and happy to see you. You never get that wonderful service at Staples. Never. And they have cute cards!!!!
I used to see Santo around the neighborhood and thought he was the famous session drummer Carmine Appice. Years ago, I went up to him and asked for an autograph which he happily gave me. But I was shocked to see that he signed it “All the best, Santo Mollica”. I still gave it someplace.
Gojira said... Me too! I panicked and I was like, No!!! I love this place I really and truly do. I give them as much work as I have to give. Santo and company have never once let me down. They are a joy to work with and a cherished neighborhood resource. Long may they prosper. xo, jg
Oh and they have a box right by the front door to collect canned and packaged foods for hunger abatement group(s). I kick myself whenever I forget to bring something to drop into the box. xo, jg
They are exemplary EV!
You can email them whatever print jobs you have, and pick them up later. So convenient. Margaret works that end of the shop.
A beloved SOURCE of warm personal service, supplies, and great music too. I always spend extra bucks on great and cute things discovered in the shop. Pitch in on the canned food donations folks. Margaret for Mayor!
Thank god... I thought this was more bad news. I would be lost without them... to tears.
Good people. Good business. Much love.
It’s amazing that a print and copy shop of all places has survived and is surviving. But they’ve adapted to a changing world and have made it work which is really an accomplishment. Maybe some of the other small retail businesses in the EV can learn something from them?
Yes, a lesson to other small retail shops in the neighborhood. This place has lasted because they’re doing a solid business providing a solid no-frills service. The shop is small and set up in a very pragmatic way. It’s staffed by Santo and his wife. Unlike so many other places around here that sink a small fortune into building out their spaces, hire a bunch of employees and then as a result have way too high an overhead to make it work. I don’t know what this copy shop is paying for rent but I guarantee you they’re rent is high just like everyone else’s in the city. They’ve just kept the rest of the costs at a sane level.
That’s why all these little coffe shops and little food places and boutiques have come and gone and this place has been here for decades.
My heart stopped, too. Grievey work with us here! But thanks for the article, Source & Santos so deserve it. I hope they are FEELING OUR LOVE!
We can NOT do without them. Eva!
Love this shop (and Curtis)! May it live forever.
"it’s really about the people, not the things."
the SOURCE, truly. love love love :) xo
Lovely people, I wish them the best!
A great resource and a late discovery for me. Excellent work, fast turnaround too!
Santo, Margaret and Curtis are the best. I've been a customer for decades and am always greeted with a friendly chat before receiving my excellent copying and scanning at the best prices in the hood. Long may you guys wave. Sometimes I have complicated projects, and Santo proceeds smoothly and makes no mention of extra effort sometimes called for. And good streaming music is always playing.
Ahhhh love this! This shop goes back to my earliest memories in the EV. And I adopted one of my (dearly departed) kitties from a polaroid hung on their bulletin board, declaring his need for a home! <3 Congrats to Santo and Margaret!
Used to live next door to them at 333 in the two storefronts. Really happy to hear they are still going strong. Wonderful hard working people. Congrats
There is way too much love here. Someone has to be contrary about it all. Not me. Curtis rocks. Please just keep us sane with the lick'em approach. Thanks so much always.
The final word is go to THE SOURCE
Add some rhythm to your sound... classic village voice ad for years - ad by Santo. Y’all keep it up!
I could not have gotten my eighteen books published without these splendid people. And their dogs! Love you, Santo, Margaret, Curtis and the spirit of Satch!
Post a Comment