Paul Bass Photo
Mercedes Jackson parked her Nissan Altima Coupe in the going-out-of-business Whalley EbLens parking lot Tuesday to enjoy a “7.2” breakfast and catch a few private minutes before “hitting my first client.
The breakfast came from McDonald’s.
“It was a 7.2 out of ten. That’s a high rating!” Jackson said during a conversation on the “Word on the Street” segment of WNHH FM’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” program. “7.2 exactly. It was maple oatmeal. Maple is awesome. I didn’t have to add any sweetener. Perfect.”
Jackson, a 31-year-old certified addiction counselor, visits people for hours at a time in her role as a social worker for a local agency. Her clients wrestle with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression. “I try to brighten their day, whatever they need. If they want to hang out, go for a walk, encourage them to do better each day. Meet them where they’re at. Make it personal. Understand how they’re feeling.”
Call her a professional friend: Babz Rawls-Ivy did, and Jackson said the phrase fits.
Jackson said she learned her skills from her grandmother Barbara, who raised her in New Haven. “She taught me how to be kind, wise, respectful. She’s from the South. So we’ve got to show respect.”
Jackson on Tuesday was wearing a sweatshirt and Crocs she had previously purchased from EbLens.
After visiting with her clients, Jackson planned to return to the EbLens lot — and pop in to the 7,800 square-foot store, which like the 17 other Connecticut outlets of the urban streetwear and footwear is closing for good this summer after an eight-year run at Whalley and Dwight.
Jackson wasn’t sure what she would buy.
“I’ll go in and look for some hats. They have so many sales right now. You can walk out with so many items for $100.”
“I’m shocked that they’re closing, honestly,” she said. “They have awesome sales. Good service.”
What rating would she give the store?
“An 8,” she said. At least.
Click on the video to watch the full conversation with Mercedes Jackson on theWord on the Street segment of WNHH FM’sLoveBabz LoveTalk program.
Click here and see below for otherWord on the Street episodes.
The Word On Jefferson Street: An Urban Oasis Beckons
Word On Wooster: Elisa, Zoe Roam Free
The Word On Norton Parkway: Into The Weeds
The Word On Grand Avenue: Where’s The Beef?
The Word On Maple Street: 1 Last Look At Dad’s Gaskets
Word On Platt Street: Pop Pops In With The Crew
Word On Sherman: Make Way For Mogul
Word On College Street: Future Doc Makes A Pit Stop
Word On Howe: EbLens, Through A Lens
Word On Whalley: Terry & Bobby See Their Way Clear
The Word On Willis: Beauty Pokes Its Head
The Word on York Street: Fast & Steady
Sprung From Work, Nick Samples City’s Buzz
Angel Drives, Delivers Toward Easter
Word On Sherman: Candy Looks Beyond Mandy
Word On Chapel: MonaLisa Steps Up
The Word On Edgewood:“Maintenance Guy” Comes To The Fore
Word On Fountain: Let The Sunshine In
Word On Winthrop:“It’s A Ford”
Texan Teacher Kvells
Word On Whalley: Justice Rides
Word On Nicoll Street: Big Picture Comes In Focus
Word On Kensington Street: Paintbrushes Pass Down
The Word On Maple Street: STEM?‘Snow Sweat
Word On Crown Street:“Warehouse Guy” Hops In The Truck
Word On The Street: Ashes Mark New Life Chapter
The Word On County Street: Greg Weighs His Next Move
Surprise Drop-Off Turns Bottle Man East
Word On Boulevard: Love’s On The Menu
Old-School Chainsaw Comes Through
During Dwight Detour, Dominique Discovers Eden
Dreams Flagged on Ellsworth
Word On The Street: ICU Crew Lands At Bella’s
Pizzeria Raises Dough For Turkish Earthquake Victims
Word On Springside: Hot Pile, Cooler Planet
Park Trees Preserved
Word On Winthrop: Mom/Daughter TCBs
Word On Whalley: Wings Rise; Neon Fades
Word On Beers Street: That’s The Drill
Word On The Street: Sisterhood Is Wow-erful
Word On The Street: 1st Step Taken
Word On The Street: New Loos Arrive
Word On The Street: Kash Starts Fresh
Word On The Street: The Gig Cycle Spins
Word On The Street: Dumped Trash Disappears
Word On The Street: Job Interview Awaits
Word On The Street: Callaghan Suits Up
Officer McKernan Refuels For Double Duty
Word On The Street: Fred Keeps Moving
Word On The Street: Mimosa Mania
Word On The Street: Terry Hands Over The Brakes
Safety Hunter Keeps Eye On The Rising Tiers
Leather’s Grandson Returns To The Soil
Jorge Opens A Door
Word On The Street: Dad Awaits The Call
Word On The Street: Bridgette Beats The Sun
Word On The Street:“Blessed,” & Ready For Busy Barber Season
The Word On Brownell Street: Call Luciano
Nana Readies Leaf Bag #32
Word On The Street: Groom Plans Hectic Holiday, Needs Car Back
The Word On Garden Street: Turkey Times Two
Dr. J Clears The Way
Estelita Makes The Journey Back Home
Butts, Burger King Wrappers Vanish At Wendy’s Drive-Thru
Skateboard J Does A 360
Word On The Street: The Banana Vote Emerges
Word On The Street: Sprinkler Heads
Word On Orchard Street: Cheap Gas
Word On The Street: Keep On Truckin’
Martin Readies 1 Last Bridge To Nature
Word on the Street: Call Her“Queen”
Word on the Street: Coach Lance Called It
Word On Dixwell: Scooter Saves Gas
Budding Architect’s Word On The Street: New Haven’s More Laid Back Than Hong Kong
Word On Street:“Smell Good In Your Hood”
Blood (Pressure) Talk Comes To Barber’s Chair
Word On Street: Rizzo Can Stand The Heat
The Tomato Plot Thickens
Without Illusions, Lamont Stewart Makes The Most Of His Morning Walk
Pro-Punk Poet Prof Starts Summer Stretch
Barista Soaks Up New Hometown Flavor
Word On The Street: Park Pre-Work Workout Sets The Tone
Homeless, & Working Exit 5
Aldo Salazar Does The Circuit
Brisa Mendoza STEMs The Graduation Tide
Timmy Turner Takes The Long View
Bike To Work Week Pulls Up To State Street Station
He’s Making Sure Soldiers Won’t Be Forgotten
Legion Ave. Rite Aid Closing; Actor Bummed
Word On Church St.: Drugs Are Everywhere
Indoor“Sunrise” Breakfasts Resume For The Hungry & The Homeless
“VillaFame” Has Designs On The World
Cherry Trees & NFTs Blossom In Wooster Square
9th Square Grows On New New Havener
Warbler Watcher Waits In The Woods
Reggie Gibson Makes A Clean Sweep
Sorry, Wooster Street: This New New Havener Has His Eye On Whalley Pie
Demons Stalk Methadone Run
Surveyor Bundles Up
Grandpa Boyd’s Toes Froze
Jay Jordan Shows Up Early For First Day At Mickey D’s
Track Champ Sets Sights On Firehouse
Can Collector Seeks Redemption
Reborn Stetson Library Opens Its Doors
Mom Prays To Pause Violence
Commuter Rolls With Switch To Train
Word on the Street: Math
Word At The Barber Shop: Ukraine Needs Our Help
Word On The Street: Pain At The Pump
Hamden’s Female Leadership Team Marks International Women’s Day
Taylor Picks Up Her Step
Wednesday’s Word on Grand:“Survival”
Turbocharged Community Soup Kitchen Plans Return To Indoor Dining
Prof On Track To Put Pain Behind Him
Word on The Street: New Beginnings
Lyric Hall Goes With The Flow
1 Valentine’s Day Later, Love Survives
Budget Airline Celebrates 100 Days At Tweed
Bobby’s Not Snitching »Grill Goes Cold After Inspector’s Visit
(Waste)Water St. Report: Omicron Still Fading
Word On The Street: Love Rides On Metro-North
Strolls Keep Soulmates On Life’s Path
Word on the Street: Where’s There’s Smoke …
Dude, Where’s His Car?
Word On The Street:“Level Up”
Word On The Street: Paying Rent, Staying Safe
Word On The Street: Brrrr!
Word On The Street: Caffeine
Word On The Street: 10 AM Georgia Hots
Bummer that EbLens is closing, along with the closed Bob’s clothing in Hamden, and other retail shops New Haven and Hamden, and the malls struggling, it’s getting harder for people to shop unless you go online. Which if you don’t have a credit card, is difficult to do. So where will the people with little credit or money shop for stuff they need near the city?