First the music and the record stores closed. And then the books – Posman’s on Broadway, Ivy’s and too many others across Manhattan.
And then it was the international news and magazine shop – Global Ink – on the corner of 112th street where it was possible to browse obscure journals, pick up yesterday’s Guardian and newspaper from all over the world.
In a letter posted to the window the owner EssamMoussa noted that technology has “reduced the need for hand-held publications.”
He opened a shoe store.
And now Kim’s Video one block up is gone.
We’re getting used to all these changes. Today’s NYTimes Week in Review has a story about the end of Polaroid – gone the way of the Viewmaster – and another about changes in the book industry.
They’ll soon be closing the one-room schoolhouse if we’re not careful!
All this change, disruption and disintermediation. What’s next?