Two Neat (Patreon)

If you follow me on Facebook, you might’ve already read my post about Two Neat, the first store to buy my greeting cards back in 1996. They’re doing a GoFundMe campaign because the pandemic has hit them hard. They are struggling to stay afloat after being closed for four months. Sadly this is true for many small businesses right now. 

Two Neat has been in business since 1986 and, over the years, many celebrities have shopped there. Robin Williams was a regular. (In my Facebook post, I told a story about Robin in the comments section. It’s also at the end of this post, for your convenience.)

Another celebrity who regularly shops at Two Neat is Bonnie Raitt. I’m told she was just in the other day. Here’s a cool story about her: 

Many years ago (I think it was 2000 or 2001), Bonnie was shopping at Two Neat. Back then, they had a huge CD section of well-known musicians and local artists. Bonnie (and her dog) walked around the store for a while. She later came to the counter with a pile of CDs and cards.

Bob, the owner, said, “You have a lot of good stuff there.” 

“I love your store,” Bonnie said. “It’s also nice to have my own section in your Music Department. I’m usually just mixed in with Female Artists.”

Here’s a woman who’s sung and played with everybody, won 10 Grammys, and was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And she was happy about being featured in a small greeting card store. I love that. 

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The Robin Williams story:

Robin Williams would come into the store every so often to buy CDs and other things. Every time he’d come in, he was friendly and unassuming. He’d chat if people approached him, but he was always low-key. 

One day, Robin was shopping and when he came to the counter to buy his stuff, Bob said, “A customer came in earlier and was raving about your HBO special. She was quoting this one bit she loved.” Robin asked, “Which bit was it?” and Bob told him.

Then Robin uncharacteristically launched into the bit, performing a few minutes of standup right there in the store. Standing by the counter was a young newlywed couple visiting from the Midwest. They were shocked to be standing a few feet away from Robin Williams, watching him do his thing. Talk about being in the right place at the right time.