John seems like the archetype of a man you should dislike but somehow manages just the right amount of endearment to make you wanna chat with him over a bowl of grapes.
This interview was delightful! And I say this as someone who loathes Gristedes. I, for one, do not think TJ's has me fooled. I loved the questions you asked: what's the difference between having 1 and 4 billion?! I thought his answer to your question about street hustlers was very revealing. Mostly, this interview really showcased your skills as an interviewer!
Wow Anne, I was not going to slack right now, but you had me at Gristedes. I remember moving to Battery Park in 2008 and we had only two supermarkets — Gristedes and... Gristedes. Both were overpriced beyond comprehension, gross in a way that should never be associated with food and chock full of things gone bad. I got really curious about these places and why on earth they were even in business. I've been wondering about this guy ever since. Especially when he ran for mayor I remember thinking OMG I hope this guy doesnt win so our city doesn't turn into a GRISTEDES!!!! 😱 Sorry, John, if you're reading, I'm sure you're a great guy, but I'm all about "gettin' fooled" by Trader Joe's!
"Banana Planks" makes me want to form a punk band just to use that name. Ever since that article, I can't stop thinking about the plank cookies and wanting to order myself a box!
On the subject of PLANKS: it is surprising that Anne and others seem to be flummoxed about the utility of a plank. Especially when the name of this newsletter is Cafe Anne! Planks are the ideal shape for dunking in coffee!!!
"Wood Screws, Slab-on-grade, or Caulk!!!". Hilarious!! PLANKS are the perfect food choice for survivalists: they stack so they don't take up much room in the bunker, last forever, and double as art!
On to Cats. Love the photo of him on Broadway with "Cats" on the marquee.
When he makes a comment like Trader Joe's has got you fooled he sounds just like Donald Trump.
And just like Donald Trump he seems to think New York like every other big city in this country needs saving. The most remarkable thing about big cities is actually how well they function.
It should be self-evident that the person with 1 billion dollars is no less happy than the person with 4 billion dollars. Or shouldn't be.
Not to get too philosophical but even those of us in the middle class in the United States are billionaires compared to persons at the bottom of the ladder in other countries.
I respect a guy like Cats because he "scratched and clawed" (pun!) his way to 4 billion dollars. His daddy didn't give it to him like other fake billionaires who will go unmentioned.
John Paul Getty said show me a man married to the same woman his entire life and I'll show you a business failure. How many times was Cats married?
And lastly Cats says he doesn't want New York City to be a second home for Venezuelans; I'll bet there were a lot of people in the day who said they didn't want New York City to be a second home for the Greeks. How quickly some of us forget.
Mar 31, 2023·edited Apr 1, 2023Liked by Anne Kadet
I absolutely loved this interview. Mae West was famous for saying "Peel me a grape" to her maid in I'm No Angel. Here's the clip: https://youtu.be/FeRm1T9V5wc 😂
John seems like the archetype of a man you should dislike but somehow manages just the right amount of endearment to make you wanna chat with him over a bowl of grapes.
Thanks Rebecca! Maybe I'll do a follow up on the MEEPS including a profile of MEEPS III.
This interview was delightful! And I say this as someone who loathes Gristedes. I, for one, do not think TJ's has me fooled. I loved the questions you asked: what's the difference between having 1 and 4 billion?! I thought his answer to your question about street hustlers was very revealing. Mostly, this interview really showcased your skills as an interviewer!
Wow Anne, I was not going to slack right now, but you had me at Gristedes. I remember moving to Battery Park in 2008 and we had only two supermarkets — Gristedes and... Gristedes. Both were overpriced beyond comprehension, gross in a way that should never be associated with food and chock full of things gone bad. I got really curious about these places and why on earth they were even in business. I've been wondering about this guy ever since. Especially when he ran for mayor I remember thinking OMG I hope this guy doesnt win so our city doesn't turn into a GRISTEDES!!!! 😱 Sorry, John, if you're reading, I'm sure you're a great guy, but I'm all about "gettin' fooled" by Trader Joe's!
Congratulations on the cookie bonanza! I must try planks the next time I'm in the USA.
I loved the interview! What a character.
'I hate extremism to the right, I hate extremism to the left. I think we gotta run the world on common sense.'
If only more people with influence thought this way!
"Banana Planks" makes me want to form a punk band just to use that name. Ever since that article, I can't stop thinking about the plank cookies and wanting to order myself a box!
Anne, I think you need to try all the cookies and report back your findings! 😅🍪
What an interesting man. I only wish that I had such a drive to be successful when I was young. My goal was to just make it through each day.
On the subject of PLANKS: it is surprising that Anne and others seem to be flummoxed about the utility of a plank. Especially when the name of this newsletter is Cafe Anne! Planks are the ideal shape for dunking in coffee!!!
"Wood Screws, Slab-on-grade, or Caulk!!!". Hilarious!! PLANKS are the perfect food choice for survivalists: they stack so they don't take up much room in the bunker, last forever, and double as art!
On to Cats. Love the photo of him on Broadway with "Cats" on the marquee.
When he makes a comment like Trader Joe's has got you fooled he sounds just like Donald Trump.
And just like Donald Trump he seems to think New York like every other big city in this country needs saving. The most remarkable thing about big cities is actually how well they function.
It should be self-evident that the person with 1 billion dollars is no less happy than the person with 4 billion dollars. Or shouldn't be.
Not to get too philosophical but even those of us in the middle class in the United States are billionaires compared to persons at the bottom of the ladder in other countries.
I respect a guy like Cats because he "scratched and clawed" (pun!) his way to 4 billion dollars. His daddy didn't give it to him like other fake billionaires who will go unmentioned.
John Paul Getty said show me a man married to the same woman his entire life and I'll show you a business failure. How many times was Cats married?
And lastly Cats says he doesn't want New York City to be a second home for Venezuelans; I'll bet there were a lot of people in the day who said they didn't want New York City to be a second home for the Greeks. How quickly some of us forget.
Amazing interview, Anne! Although I'm a little worried about the Meeps-related (like, LITERALLY related!) feline population explosion...
This interview makes me want to pay a premium to shop at Gristede's!
wait you gotta text this guy and demand he get a founding subscription to cafe anne!
also if he wants to make a movie, i'll make him a movie
If you have a billion dollars, you can buy a Treasury bill and get about $136,000 a day in interest.
Dang, Pantry Pride! Now, that’s a blast back to a Florida before the relentless oppressive monotony of a Publix on every street.
I absolutely loved this interview. Mae West was famous for saying "Peel me a grape" to her maid in I'm No Angel. Here's the clip: https://youtu.be/FeRm1T9V5wc 😂
Omg peanut butter and graham. I’m on a mission now.