As anything scales too effectively - from fashion to restaurants to music - the market opens for more non-scalable alternatives. Once Starbucks opens on every block, many of us crave the artisanal coffee shop. Once our favorite Italian restaurant becomes a chain of three, we grow tired of it. Why? First, so much of what we buy and do is tied up in ... See more

“Imagine visiting an old, indie bookshop nestled in a quiet corner of the town square. The smell of aged paper, the creak of wooden floors, and the personalised recommendations from the owner create an atmosphere that feels intimate and real. This bookshop seems authentic and personal, in contrast to a charmless chain bookstore in a commercial mall

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