"It has been a tough year for the market" said one of the brothers from Casa, one of the most recognizable Kensington Market institutions. He's got his own family troubles, but the market on a whole has seen too much loss.
First Manuel, then Bob "the Jamaican" died suddenly of a heart attack (I'm not sure I knew him). Then the owner of Amadeu's died in a car accident. Now I hear that Paris who once sold his famous hot sauce, died suddenly.
My favourite memories of Paris:
The way he danced like a lanky lion at the Harvest parade four years ago.
The way he set up his stand of tasty sauces and flirted with the ladies
The time he came to Kiff's house party on Clinton, and two guys had to hold him by the back of his pants while he peed off the roof (the bathroom was occupied) so that he wouldn't fall off. He then passed out on the sofa as the party raged around him.
He taught me to always use a clean, dry spoon in your jars to keep your condiments from going mouldy. Every time I take out a clean spoon to dig around in a jar, I think of him.
The market is a refuge for so many people. It is a real community full of regulars and pilgrims and lifers who worked side-by-side for lifetimes, raised their kids in their shops, some of the next generation returning to take over the family store. It is a deep loss - a rough year.
