Many times we have used this editorial space to promote the benefits of shopping in Great Neck. Of course, shopping in your own town promotes the local economy, boosts real estate values, and, generally, helps maintain a healthy, vital community. Shopping in Great Neck is also quick and easy, and you just might be surprised to discover how much local merchants really do care. Personalized shopping beats those huge, impersonal malls any day!

We had just such a pleasant shopper/merchant experience recently. As all of the members of our family have been traveling a fair amount this past year, we have ended up with more than the usual amount of damaged luggage. While the cruise ship line promised to reimburse for damage that they had caused, and the assorted airlines did own up to some other damage, much to our dismay, we were told that airlines are not responsible for certain types of damage, such as ripped or broken suitcase handles. So, off we went to Kossoff's, on Grace Avenue in Great Neck Plaza, where we had purchased the luggage. They gladly shipped all of our damaged luggage back to the manufacturers for repairs, with a promise of returned luggage in a few weeks.

Well, about two months later we were set for a trip and the luggage still had not come back from the manufacturer. We told our story to Kyung Lee, the lovely owner at Kossoff's. She immediately called the manufacturer, was informed of repair problems, and came up with an amazing solution for us. She replaced our damaged suitcases with brand new ones that very day, and she dealt with the manufacturer. We could not believe this!

That is personalized service! That is the ultimate shopping experience! And that kind of service and attention, that kind of caring, is a major reason why we shop locally whenever possible.

It really does pay to shop in Great Neck!

- Wendy K. Kreitzman