As I was driving into work today I was struck be a couple factors. One, I am getting older as I can now reflect on what “used” to be. Two, Mediocrity and complacency has gotten a strong hold in my native town of Minneapolis. The Uptown I knew has been fully replaced by the very thing I loathe looking at. Bit by Bit it’s face changed, now fully unrecognizable and devoid of the very things that made it special. I know I speak for many with memories longer than mine, but the death of independent specialty shops is sealed.

It’s not just the products that have replaced them but the lack of aesthetic that comes with them. The buildings & structures they build are equal to the products they carry. Generic, emotionless, mass manufactured, cold, impersonal, ugly. In the winter, I take note of the number of people completely comfortable wearing Columbia, Patagonia, The North Face gear in every color. Apparently, this is “our” fashion statement. I get the miserable weather, harsh winters etc. but really must we be reduced to looking like that? I mean, so many of us? Is this what “we’ have become? Apparently, this is the Minneapolis uniform, why else could Columbia & North Face build an empire on Hennepin Ave.? Am I alone is this? Does anyone else see what has become acceptable or norm here? Are we losing our sense of character, whimsy, independence? I realize this is the Midwest but honestly, have we all lost the plot?! I remember a Minneapolis with a backbone, a bit of fire, did they all move away? I must be getting old…