A trip to The Fresh Grocer isn't complete without a greeting from Ray and Ernie, two local men who are willing to hold the door, carry your groceries, hail a cab, and do just about anything to make your trip to the grocery store a little bit easier. All they ask in return is whatever you're willing to give; even if it's just a smile. So Raymond, when did you start holding the door at The Fresh Grocer? Raymond: A few months ago I was running low on money and I ran into Old Head here at Fresh Grocer helping people out. Ernie: He's talking about Ernie. Raymond: That's right Old Head, I mean you. I watched how Old Head here was helping people, even people who weren't nice to him. He always had a smile on his face and I decided that that's what I wanted to do; to help people. So now I wait until he's finished here and then I come. I'm trying to pay my rent, get something to eat, and try to make some money without hurting anyone. Cause I would never want to hurt anyone. I would rather beg someone for something than try to rob them. I'm going to be right up front with people and if somebody says they don't have [money], then I say, "Have a nice day." Ernie: He just used the word 'beg.' I hate that word. I 'ask' honestly. I do a service for the people. Ray: Right, there you go Old Head. Ernie: I open the door, I carry the groceries, I flag a cab. I take the carts back. I do a service and I don't beg. I tell them my situation and they give. And if they don't, it's all right. What's the secret to your success? Ernie: Telling the truth. I heard him use the word 'rob.' I never even thought about nothing like that. I try to work, you know, and be honest. So if you do it the right way, everybody isn't going to give it to you, but a whole lot will. Do you know certain people who will come by and regularly help you out? Ernie: Yes I do. A lot of the college kids, they love me. Raymond: The basketball team! They'll call Old Head over and bring him to the store. Ernie: They'll say, "Come on, Ernie. Get away from that door. Come on with us." So we go on in and sit down together and eat. They'll tell me I can get whatever I want. Do you two work together? Raymond: Well, really you can only have one guy helping out at a time. Ernie was the guy who helped me out by allowing me to work the door when I need some cash. That's what kind of a nice guy he is. But I know that he's the head man. And I have to respect his territory. So when he needs to work, I let him work. And if he knows I need to work, he lets me. Ernie: That's right. And it works out well because we respect each other. What is your average day? Raymond: I try to make enough money to eat and stuff like that...but it's the college kids, man, who take of us. Make sure to put that in, the college kids took care of us, man. They help me survive until I can get back on my feet. At this point, several drunk Penn students interrupt the interview to offer Ernie a beer, which he initially refuses but later reluctantly accepts. So you don't drink? Ernie: In two weeks I might have one can of beer, and that's it. Raymond: And I don't even drink most of the time. Ernie: But if you say no to beer, students might get angry. Ernie, people know you as a happy guy. What's your secret? Ernie: The Lord is my secret. His word says to be truthful, honest, and do the right thing. Always reward people with a smile. That's the way I try to walk through life, doing that. It took me a long time to learn these things and to put them together. What would you like to say to Penn students? Raymond: I'd like to say thank you to the student for helping me. And God bless you all. Ernie: I love all of you all. I appreciate everything that you've done for me. The words you say to me, the help you've given me, the handshakes, the hugs, the smiles, the greetings and everything you've ever done for me. Raymond: I'll come down here just to get a smile from you. Ernie: You students brighten my day, and I love all you all.

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