Yesterday my family took what has become an annual trip to NYC during the holiday season.  We visit Central Park, walk down 5th Ave, FAO Schwartz, see the windows at Macy’s and Saks and do all of the touristy stuff NYC is known for around the holiday season.  It’s a trip that my kids look forward to every year.

Always Included in the day’s itinerary is a stop at the Apple store.  Hey, Dad needs to have his fun too, and my kids actually enjoy going to the Apple store, playing Cooking Mama on the demo iPod Touch’s and games on the iMacs.

In the past we’ve always gone to the “cube”, Apple’s 5th ave. store that’s opened 24 hours.  But this year we made a change (ok, we still went to the 5th ave. store too.)  Apple’s newest retail store is located on the Upper West side of Manhattan, and we decided to pay it a visit.

The beautiful store features an all glass front and a cavernous ceiling that seems to reach the sky.  It’s two floors, the top consisting of mostly demo computers, iPhones, iPods etc. and the bottom filled with all the accessories, the Genius Bar, and more.

Those who know me know I have a bit of an iPhone case addiction.  The bottom level of the store features a wall of cases 12 feet high; that’s crack for someone like me.

After browsing the store and making a few purchases (of course) we made our way back up and out to the street to continue on with our day.

It was then I spotted this street vendor set up directly in front of the store, on the sidewalk, not 10 feet from the front door to the Apple store.  His wares?  A 6 foot table full of iPhone & iPod cases all for $10 and less!

I couldn’t help but crack a smile, and after snapping the picture I approached the vendor and struck up a conversation.  He was as nice as those Apple “greeters” who are paid to say hello and goodbye to customers as they enter and leave the store.  Totally cordial, warm and friendly.  I asked him if he’s ever hassled by Apple or the police.  At first all he did was flash the street vendor’s license hanging from his neck while breaking out into a large grin.

He went on to say that when the store first opened the police had tried to make him move.  They were not successful.  He said the new store was the best thing to happen to his business since he began it.  He had been selling his cases at another location, but when the store opened he noticed no vendors had taken root in front of it.

He made the move and has been there ever since.

Gotta love capitalism.  :-)

Happy Holidays.