Neighborhood Notes: Locked in at Kelloggs & Lawrence

By PAUL WIEMAN

A few years back, on a wintry late afternoon, I stopped in at Kelloggs & Lawrence for my usual purchase of a bolt, or a screw, or a shelf brace, or one of any number of useful things they have down in the basement on the left wall. For, if there’s one thing about Kelloggs & Lawrence, if you need a particular piece of hardware, you can find it there.

Anyway, I was in the basement floor of the shop, navigating my way through their scores and scores of hardware boxes, trying to find the exact match for something or other, when a call from above came down: “Locking up now, time to go.” 

I immediately answered with a hearty reply: “Coming up right away.” And in fact, I did come up right away.

Now, let’s get one thing straight. I have a big voice. I am a trained classical singer, have been a high school teacher for years, and volume has never been an issue for me. A hearty “coming up right away” would not have been a quiet reply from me.

Nonetheless, as I was heading up the stairs, the lights went out, I heard the door close, and by the time I reached the top of the stairs, I was locked in. I called out … no answer. I didn’t want to try the door in case it was alarmed. In fact, I wasn’t sure what to do. 

To be honest, I wasn’t frightened, but I was a bit confused and was just beginning to consider my options. I could call the police, but then again, I was the one on the wrong side of a locked door, and I am not sure how that conversation would start. I have a deep faith and trust in the Bedford Police, but still, I clearly had some explaining to do. 

As luck would have it, I did know the part-time accountant for Kelloggs & Lawrence, but I didn’t have her number. That seemed a reasonable path; I could get the number from my wife, call my friend, and all would be well. 

As I initiated this plan, I heard the jingle of keys from a back room, and into the semi-darkness walked one of the owners.

“Hello,” I said, calmly, “I appear to have been locked in the store this evening.”

After a bit of explaining, and some laughter, he opened the door, and I went on my way. 

That’s where this should end, one would think. A funny little bit that is good for a story with friends. But not in this neighborhood. 

A couple years later, I was back in Kelloggs & Lawrence, again looking for a piece of hardware, and, for some reason, as I was making the purchase, the occasion arose for me to tell the story to those working the register. 

“So you’re the one that happened to!” was the cry from the group. “We had heard that tale and wondered if it was true … most of us didn’t believe it.”

I assured them it was true. Glad to be part of the Kelloggs & Lawrence lore.

Now that I think about it, I am certainly glad I went to Kelloggs & Lawrence that evening, even if I did get locked in. Imagine if I had gotten locked into a Home Depot … I’d be sleeping on the two-by-fours. 

Paul Wieman is a retired educator. His “Neighborhood Notes” column offers occasional observations about the Katonah neighborhood he has lived in for 35 years.