There goes the neighborhood

The haunts of the Ed of yore—back when I lived on West 83rd St. between Broadway and Amsterdam, mid-’90s-ish—were Book Ark, NYCD, and Columbus Bakery, where I wrote most of my (second!) unpublished novel, Dementia Americana. The first two establishments disappeared years ago; Columbus Bakery, though, seemed like an imperishable standby—reasonable prices, good light, they don't nudge you out, good traffic from breakfast till dinner.

It closed last fall, with a sign telling customers to look forward to its new "concept" in January. Last week, I saw that it was by no means going to be anything like a bakery/café, but rather a "pizza by the inch" place called Pinch (which I had gone to once, when it was open near the PTSNBN). It is a clever name but not the best idea. What is this, HOME DEPOT??

The very brief item in the Times does not register my shock! I must move on!!!