A Quick Hello from Los Angeles Street
Ed Fuentes
Soofer Nejat manning the door of Millennium, a men’s shoe and accessory store on Los Angeles Street.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — In the Fashion District, 75-year-old Soofer Nejat offers quiet welcomes and hellos with a tip of his hat. He wears his overcoat well, his suit highlighted by a handkerchief carefully folded in four points. Last Friday, on the day before the last shopping weekend, he added a distinguished air to Los Angeles Street as he manned the door of Millenium, between 7th and 8th streets.
It’s his tenth holiday season in Los Angeles, he says, adding in broken English that he’s from Russia and speaks French. A friend of the shop owner, he comes in from Santa Monica everyday by bus to man the door. “I don’t own machine,” he says.
Our talk was brief, and before I could ask what he does for fun, he dug deep in his wallet, passing by his California I.D. Card to show me his Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino senior I.D.
I thanked him and wished him a happy Hanukkah. He answered with a nod and said “Merci beaucoup and Merry Christmas.”
Ginny-Marie Case on December 25, 2008, at 07:56PM – #1
Dude...I know that guy can say a lot more than he leads on. Every time I walk by him there's always a nice compliment. When I was fat and pregnant it was especially nice to walk by him.
Besides the guy who works at the store at 8th and Los Angeles - those two are the classiest guys in the neighborhood.