it’s something i’ve been trying to put into words for months now, and i don’t know that i’m any closer. but it’s something that has been on my mind in this neighborhood that’s at the same time kinda family, but kinda sleepy, but becoming a place to go.
and still very Black. which i think about a lot. because it’s also that thing of a neighborhood becoming very “it” and the people who made it “it” sometimes not being able to stay any longer.
oh, the article…
it’s called “brown paper”, because i’m quite clever and into my symbolisms. about all the brown paper you see up in stores around here, and how much that has multiplied in the last few years. just wondering what’s behind it, is all. i’ve been here for a decade now and i’m wondering what has spawned the acceleration.
in the coffeehouse that i’m finishing this thing, there’s a massive development going up that will add dozens of new apartments to the area. unless i’m quite mistaken, it will get rented up quickly, and none of it will be “affordable”; either literally or euphemistically. at the other end of the neighborhood, a massive and massively expensive high rise has gone up with even more apartments.
and a lifestyle center. because we do that here now.
also, the coffehouse that i’m in used to be across the street and up the block. it’s now bigger and prettier. and always full.
…
like this stylish chicken joint with the selection of natural wines that looks like it will be sticking around for quite some time. that maybe had to wait around for this version of the neighborhood to exist before it could.
maybe i start with that. what do you think?