In this reflective piece, Gary B. Martin shares his experiences living on the Upper West Side for over 30 years. He expresses a mix of nostalgia and sadness about the changing retail landscape, particularly as anchor stores, which once defined the neighborhood, come and go. Although he admits he may not have shopped frequently at every mentioned store, Martin highlights the emotional and cultural significance of such local businesses, noting how changes affect community identity. He specifically mentions missing stores like Absolute Bagels and Shakespeare & Co., illustrating a deeper sense of loss among longtime residents.
As someone who has lived on the Upper West Side for decades, I've seen a lot of local "anchor" stores come and go. I love progress as much as the next person, but even if I rarely shopped there, it's sad to see some of these places change hands, or worse, disappear.
In New York City, the impact of the loss of beloved local businesses really hits home, especially for long-time residents who have built emotional connections to these places.
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