Every neighborhood should have it's own little market, a place to go when you need just that one thing. Should it be a bottled Coke, some 'Snap-It's', Yoo Hoo, or a cork remover, every neighborhood needs it's own center of their little galaxy. Here in our humble and often forgotten 'Boscobel Heights' East Nashville community, guarding the 19th block like those dogs from Ghostbusters guarded Gozer, is our shining star. 'Rick's Market - Coldest Beer In Town - Picnic Supplies'.I have to be honest, it took me awhile to embrace Rick's when I first moved to this great neighborhood. It was such a stark change from the Belmont-Hillsboro Circle K where many a great ICEE partied partied in my tummy tummy. I'd say it was about a year and a half before I made the short trip up the hill and ventured through the doors off what would become an integral part of my East Nashville lifestyle. I was admittedly nervous. I could picture a similar type of incident that occurred to Pee Wee Herman in 'Pee Wee's Big Adventure', when he went in the biker bar and had to save his ass by dancing on a table to 'Tequila'. Or like when Fletch had to pretend to be Harley Davidson himself in 'Fletch Lives' to avoid an impending ass-whooping. With the exception of one time when my ringer (which is 'Goonies are Good Enough' by Cindi Lauper) went off in the middle of Rick's, have a ever been a little afraid. I just yelled "sweet potatoes taste better with oregano!" and took off running.
Anyway, my first trip to Rick's was just before the Panther's vs. Patriot's Super Bowl. You know, 'Boobgate'. We just needed a tad more BBQ sauce and there was no time to go anywhere else. A debate ensued, and in the end the decision was made that it was time to make that march. A friend graciously escorted me to and from the premises. It was like going home, a home that you really never wanted, but needed. Now, if I need a Skor bar during halftime of the Sunday game... well you might just see a flash of a guy that looks like a woman, wearing a sweatshirt as pants running up the street.
With that being said, July 12th was Costumer Appreciation Day at Rick's. Their way of saying thanks for 10 years of loyal costumer service. In turn, I want to take this opportunity to thank you Rick, for all the Gatorades, Little Debbies, BBQ sauce, and Lottery Tickets that you've provided over the years.
Now, if I can just get you to carry Naked Juice. We'll get there... together.
