Smoke Signals on Polk Street, owned by Fadi Berbery for three decades, stands out as one of California's largest magazine stores. With an extensive inventory of around 2,000 titles, it has survived where others have failed, becoming a nostalgic hub for locals and visitors alike. Berbery, 62, knows many customers by name and continues to run the shop single-handedly. His dedication to the store reflects a bygone era of newsstands, reminiscent of his childhood in Beirut and travels to European cities.
"It's the same spot, the shelves are the same, the humidor is the same, the counter is the same - the dog is not the same…"
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