STAR KNISH WARMER

Regarding David T. Friendly’s article (“Stairway Builder to the Stars,” Dec. 15) on the custom of Los Angeles merchants displaying 8x10 glossies of their star and not-so-star clients as some sort of validation of the establishment, I also have wondered just how effective this is in this already overcrowded-with-star-endorsement town.

It just so happens that my picture hangs directly over the knish warmer at Murray’s Kosher Deli in Queens, N.Y. My mother never forced it on Murray, although he did say something about mentioning him when I thanked all the little people in my Academy Award speech.

The picture has become a little curled around the edges from the steam, and there are one or two grease spots from the frankfurter grill, but Murray says the picture still draws ‘em in.

CAROL PORETZ

West Hollywood