What do people think of the idea of a small convenience store downtown (close to the intersection of Woodward and Maple).  I’m thinking of the little newspaper shops corner market type places that you see in Chicago and NY where you can get a magazine, a pop, asprin etc.

George,

I don’t think anybody’s actually reading or watching the Buzz anymore. I still get emails when somebody posts, though.

Oh, well.

But talk to Peter Sobelton. He’s on the PSD Board, and runs a bunch of sundry stores in office buildings around the area. I’ve discussed this with him several times, and he doesn’t think it would be economically viable for anyone intent on making a profit. I think it’s a great idea. I thought of it after the city started giving real estate away (in the form of sidewalk and street space) to the restaurants for outdoor cafes. If you could put an outdoor cafe on the sidewalk or in a couple of parking spaces rent-free (a subsidy, no?), why couldn’t you put a NYC-style newsstand?

Alas, I’m out of the business of trying to persuade city officials to do things.

Take up the cause! Keep me posted.