In-dependent
Growing up in Toronto, I can scarcely remember going to a NON independent business. Riding my bike, I used to visit stand-alone burger joints, doughnut shops, convenience stores, bookstores and clothing stores.
Which is why I cringe every time I hear about another Toronto retailer on the fritz.
First, Pages went down. Now, the Toronto Women’s Bookstore is in jeopardy. It’s been around since the early 70′s, and whether you use the store or not, it is sad to see Chapter’s swallow up all the business.
I understand that big box stores offer convenience and simplicity. But when independent businesses erode, we lose a little of our identity. And why on earth wouldn’t we want to keep that? It keeps life interesting and allows different voices to be heard.
If you are about to buy a book for someone, why not see whether the Women’s Bookstore has it?
And while I’m at it, perhaps I will go and grab a chocolate bar and baseball stickers at Apple Village convenience.
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About
My name is Jason Osler. I am a Toronto-based journalist with a zeal for telling humourous stories of the “every person.” My specialty is identifying and exploring social trends that reside in the subconscious.
The majority of my work airs on CBC Radio’s Metro Morning – Toronto’s #1 morning show. My theme music is “People Everyday” by Arrested Development.
This blog is a forum to divulge, discuss and dissect the moments and minutiae that shape our day to day lives.
In addition, I enjoy a good spring roll… but despise cilantro.
Yours truly,
JOpublic
