Some
people serve us in small ways every day. Sometimes, because
our contact with them is brief, we hardly ever get to know
them ... yet we have come to depend on them and we would
miss their presence if they were to disappear from our lives.
One of the most familiar
faces in Branford belongs to Roseann Baroncini, known to
all as “Rose.” For the last 34 years, hers has
been the friendly face seen seven days a week behind the
counter at the Branford Book & Card Shoppe on Main Street,
across from the Branford Green.
Roseann’s father emigrated
from Italy, and Rose, a native of New Haven, was born into
a family of five boys and three girls. Brother Bob, a savvy
real-estate investor, owns the card shop, the bank building
next door and the building housing T.S. Fine Stationers,
run by Rose’s nephew, Sal.
At 70 years of age, Rosie
maintains a demanding schedule; working from 10:30 until
7 at night, seven days a week. (Bob opens the store first
thing in the morning and is there till she arrives.)
When asked what was the most
difficult aspect of her work, Rose looked puzzled, shrugged
and said, “Nothing ... I love it. I really enjoy all
my customers.”
In fact, the only time Rose
ever missed being at the store was a two-week period following
some needed eye surgery.
Although Rose doesn’t
know this, she was instrumental in our meeting Bob and Barbara
Capria, who are now close friends. A few years ago, Bob
and Barbara moved to Branford from Westport and approached
me at a local store to inquire where they might buy the
Sunday paper.
I, of course, recommended
Rose’s store and mentioned they would even save a
copy for them, upon request. I chatted a little with the
Caprias and took an immediate liking to them both and suggested
we get together again. We now see them on a regular basis.
The card shop has a truly
amazing inventory with more than 2,000 magazines, a selection
of many best-selling books, cigarettes and fine cigars,
MarieBelle and Neuhaus Belgian chocolates, Mariposa pewter,
Hummel and Byers’ Choice collectibles, gift wrap and
cards, stationery supplies, candles and soda.
In addition, to keeping track
of this variety of products, what made me take special notice
of Rose is her computer-like memory for people.
Stop by the store once, and
she will remember your preference in candy or cigarettes,
what paper you bought, if you purchased a lottery ticket,
or mentioned that you would be away for two weeks.
Rose always asks about our
son, Steve, by name, even though he hasn’t lived with
us for almost 10 years and is now in California, permanently.
I kid her and say she should
have gone into politics. Rose belittles her prodigious memory
and says, “I see their face, and I just remember everything
about them. I guess it’s because I really enjoy people.”
In an age when more and more
business is impersonal and even uncaring, Rose is a gem
to be treasured.
Jean Cherni
is founder of Senior Living Solutions, a retirement advisory
service. Contact her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or
15 The Ponds, Branford 06405.
H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
is a full-service real estate company with more than 100
agents and branch offices in greater New Haven and the Shoreline.
Corporate and & Commercial offices are located in North
Haven, where the company was founded in 1958. All listings
can be found in color on the web at: www.hpearce.com. |
