The blog reeks of New York, and reads as if it is being spoken to you - by some gruff guy on a barstool who can't believe how far downhill his city is slipping. Posts alternately pan new builds that are 'ugly', and 'occupied by young couples who fight a lot', or mourn the passing of non-descript pizza joints. It is the journal of one man's struggle to preserve the traces that give his city its soul, and his raging against the implantation of chainstore logos and anywheresville aesthetics.

Sure, the city is still home to a huge number of independant traders, but on a regular basis one of these survivors will slowly come to the end of its life. Its death is not necessarily a sad event, but - like on Lost City - it seems important to capture it before it disappears for ever.

Nobody else would be able to take over the unit and install a similar business today in what is one of the most exclusive parts of the city. The public has moved on, and the city's face will reflect this.
The wonderfully preserved sign and polychrome frontage here seems to point to a unit that had not changed hands in a number of years, suggesting another retirement. Other owners may be found to keep the dry cleaning tradition going at this spot, but will they want to keep the vintage sign, or will they be looking to make their own fresh mark on the city?
In a few months time, I'll publish a follow up to this post, telling you exactly who has moved into these two units. I don't know what I'll find, but we will know what has been lost.
Great piece today! I have been documenting signs and buildings in Portland, Oregon for some time now. Many times I have found the structure has been demolished before I was able to capture it with my camera!! I now try to pull over immediately and take photos instead of waiting for the right light or time!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for such a great blog!
Cecily
Like so many of your posts a mixture of beauty, pride and sadness. I'm not sure that I want to read about the sucessors to these enterprises, given that they will almost certainly be 'identikit' multi-nationals.
ReplyDeleteStill on the positive side it makes one appreciate these little gems of social history even more - and who knows at some time in the future someone will post something bemoaning the passing of the McDonald's Golden Arches!
Cool Info
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