Not again…
Back in 2011, I mentioned the closure of a local magazine shop [blog.spudman.ca/?p=4415] with sadness. I like magazines. They satisfy the hunter/gatherer/collector instinct. They teach new crafts, for a fistful of loonies. They hold up other stuff, if you stack them properly. However…
After my local shop shuttered, I found another. Different part of town (inside the walls of the Old City, for those who tour vicariously). Located within a few minutes of my morning bus changepoint, so that I could nip down and check for new arrivals. Convenient. However…
Maison de la Presse 2014
Lately, certain of my preferred titles were unavailable. I put it down to the difficulties of the industry, and carried on. With magazines there is always new content, and I’ve had some new interests to pursue. Continuing my education. This morning, the stock was neatly arranged; think of a balding man’s combover. The center aisle was gone, and the Smarties were sold out. I had to ask.
Yes. They’re closing. The young staff (at my age, all the staff is young) will be forced to find alternative employment, because the chain is broken. Not enough customers for all the possibilities. Not even enough interest to inspire a sale. The sparse stock will go wherever outdated magazines go, and the sparse customers will wander. Lost. No new content. That includes me.
I could start subscribing to select titles, but that isn’t what I want. I need to sample the information smorgasbord. As well, this next year will bring major upheaval (my address will change) and the postal system doesn’t handle that well.
