When A Neighbourhood Becomes A Community
On the importance of weak ties. Plus, the origins of gentrification.
I have an obsession with this little shop in my neighbourhood. It’s basically a time capsule of my childhood with 90s snacks, fruit-scented stickers and sparkly gel pens. The first time I went in, the owner and I chatted for almost an hour, sharing our love for childhood nostalgia. I told her if she ever sees any cute banana products when ordering, to bring them in and I’ll buy them. Her face lit up—“Oh, wait, wait! I might have just the thing, hold on,” she exclaimed as she disappeared down into the basement. Turns out she didn’t have the thing, but she called her order guy and told me it would be in soon.
I returned over a month later, eager to see my banana surprise. When I got to the store, there was a chic old woman in a bright all-red ensemble with a walker who had locked the owner in conversation. After I did a couple laps of the small shop, I found myself awkwardly waiting for this woman to leave. But then I realized—she was just like m…