First, a shout out to Harvey Bravman and the Brookline Youth Awards. I attended because the Ethel Weiss Award is given annually to a businessperson who contributes so much to the community. This year it was Dana Brigham of Brookline Booksmith – much deserved! I stayed for the whole program and was mesmerized by all the extraordinary projects and deeds that our teens are doing. Good news for a change. Every day, pedestrians stop by Irving’s and look in the window. Currently, there is an installation in the windows by artist Meryl Blinder. Describing it would take too long, so I encourage everyone to stop by. It incorporates all the post-its and renderings of my mother.
So what will happen to Irving’s, a fixture in Brookline for 76 years?
When the official sale of the building next door is completed (always roadblocks in real estate), my hope is that it will become a non-profit or will be gifted to the Town of Brookline. In this way, my mother’s legacy will continue (she’ll definitely be happy) and the toys and treats will be there for years to come. In addition, it will be an opportunity for many schools and agencies to be involved. Brookline memorabilia could be sold. Students could help decide on merchandise and be salespeople. There could be fundraisers to help various agencies in town; the Historical Society could provide photos and literature. Don’t forget that the Edward Devotion House is a block away and the JFK House is around the corner. A neighbor of the store told me she would love to run the store – a college professor interested in collaboration. Wow!
I thank everyone who has talked with me about memories they have of Irving’s and my mother. It won’t be easy to make the spirit of Irving’s continue, but it’s well worth the effort. It will make hundreds of people happy and my mother will be smiling all along the way.
Anita Jamieson