Olde Style New York

(Click photos to enlarge) On 23rd Street, Chelsea Guitars is hard to miss even though the entire store could fit inside some people's walk-in closets. When open, you're greeted by a ukulele playing Marilyn Monroe, who smiles at you rain or shine. Through the doors is one of New York's most unique and interesting shops. As the sign on the glass says, the store is all about guitars, both electric and acoustic, along with some mandolins, banjos, and ukuleles. I'd passed the storefront for many years as a neighborhood resident, but being musically challenged had never walked in until my son took a music class and needed to buy some picks. Dan Courtenay, the owner, was very welcoming and generous, spending time with us explaining the advantages of different kinds of pics. I can't imagine too many store owners spending that much time on a purchase that would amount to about a dollar at most. In New York I'm always surprised when people go the extra mi