Judaic Traditions will close storefront

PROVIDENCE – Remember the old rhyme – the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker? Although candlestick makers are likely few and far between, Rhode Island has lost kosher butchers and bakers. Now, Judaic Traditions, the state’s sole Judaica store not housed in a synagogue will close on June 30, though its owner, Jeff Davis, will continue to sell items online and by phone.

Davis, genial and positive, even as he shares the news, ticks off the combination of factors that forced him into this decision. “Three things have happened, all in pretty short order,” he said. “The economy is just really bad right now, the landlord wanted me to sign a multi-year lease, and the Jewish community in Rhode Island just doesn’t support Jewish businesses.”

Davis, who bought Rhoda’s Judaica in April 2002, is no stranger to retail businesses; he’d grown up in his family’s photographic and computer business in Rhode Island, and he had been an account executive in computer technology.

Davis expressed disappointment, though no anger, about the situation. “When I bought the store from Rhoda, I didn’t do it to make a fortune; it was a labor of love. I did it because I felt it was something important for the community.”

Davis kept Judaic Traditions at the earlier location, 775 Hope St., before moving to its present site just up the street to 746 Hope St. Conversations with long-time Hope Street shopkeepers and neighborhood residents confirm that the area has experienced huge turnover in recent years.

High cost of fuel

A generally bleak economy and skyrocketing fuel prices hurt the business, according to Davis. “Probably 60 percent or so of my inventory comes from Israel, and in the past couple of months, the freight charges have quadrupled,” he said.

Davis attributed those increases to oil prices and the shekel’s value compared to the U.S. dollar. “People used to buy a Judaic hostess gift from the store; now, with tough economic times, they’ll bring a bottle of wine instead,” he said.

Karinne Bleiwas, a longtime customer, was stunned to learn that the store was closing. The store, she said, is so haimish, with piles of products for people to look at. “Jeff is so accommodating,” Bleiwas said. “This is like a neighborhood bookstore in New York.”

Economic woes aside, people often shop at their synagogues’ gift shops for the Judaica they do buy, according to Davis.

“These shops have an economic advantage – they don’t charge sales tax and they don’t pay any rent,” he said.

Online sales to continue

Playfully teasing his mother, Sema Davis, who works with him, and the regular customers who came in to shop, to shmooze and to buy during our interview, Davis was quick to explain that he will continue to take care of his regular customers. “I will support the Orthodox community (PHDS) and the religious schools from Temple Emanu-El, South County Collaborative and Davis’ own Temple Torat Yisrael – they have been such regular customers. When people here think first of going to Brookline to buy a tallis, a Kiddush cup or some other item of Judaica before they think of coming to Hope Street in Providence, it’s very disappointing.

“About three and a half years ago, I met Rabbi Schochet with the Providence Kollel,” Davis said, “and through him, I’ve been able to connect with the larger Orthodox community. The Kollel needed a lot of books and came to me for them. That was my introduction to the Orthodox Jewish community,” he said. “They have been great customers for me.”

Ironically, some of Davis’ best customers are not Jewish. Large groups of Gentiles who come in and buy tallitot and shofarim, he said, not for their Jewish friends or neighbors, but for themselves.

The store’s inventory includes a wide array of jewelry, books, tallitot, holiday items, toys and games, cards and music. Signs promoting deep discounts of “40 percent off” or “50 percent off” are already posted near many items, a harbinger of what’s to come.

After June 30, Davis will continue to sell Judaica inventory online at www.judaictraditions.com, and by phone, (401) 454-4775. He’s uncertain where he’ll keep his inventory, though he is committed to serving the needs of the Rhode Island Jewish community. Currently, online sales only account for about 10 percent of Davis’ business, and the bulk of the business comes from walk-in customers.

Word-of-mouth and ads in The Voice & Herald ads have brought those customers to the store, but not in sufficient quantity to make it worthwhile.

Laden with packages, Bleiwas turned to Jeff and said, “I feel so sad, what are we going to do without you?” She added: “You should have mazel with your endeavor.”

Asked what he’d want readers of The Voice, & Herald to know, Davis thought for a moment, smiled ruefully and said: “They should support their local Jewish merchants.”

Nancy Kirsch is an awarding-winning writer and a frequent contributor to The Voice & Herald. She can be reached at nkirsch@cox.net.