Sharon' the Tea
By Sharon Kim
By Sharon Kim
I go to this cozy bookstore called Booksmart, run by a lovely elderly couple in Morgan Hill. When I walk in, they wave, say “hi,” and ask me where I’ve been or catch up on past updates. The store is filled with more than books, but nifty trinkets, gadgets, and doo das as well. They even offer to order books for customers and it has allowed me to freely explore genres that interest me. It’s those spaces where I can have interactions with substance, interactions that light up my day. But sadly, due to high rent, competition from online sources and big box stores, spots like this are becoming a rarity.
When I discover quaint shops that I’ve passed by millions of times before by taking the time to get to know them, it's like unlocking another save point. Instead of going to Subway across the street when I’m hungry after school, I now walk a few paces past to the Tacos El Compa Taqueria as it was tipped to me by a friend. The first time I went, I sat down with my burrito and strawberry agua fresca with a good book as minutes flew by, culminating into an heavenly experience. The atmosphere was a comfortable buzz, as patron walked in and out, but with warmth that allowed quality time to be spent.
It tears my heart to see any family business with so much personality lose its memories to yet another Starbucks or McDonald's as if there weren’t enough of those already. So my recommendation is to go out, explore and support those local businesses around you and you might strike gold.
When I discover quaint shops that I’ve passed by millions of times before by taking the time to get to know them, it's like unlocking another save point. Instead of going to Subway across the street when I’m hungry after school, I now walk a few paces past to the Tacos El Compa Taqueria as it was tipped to me by a friend. The first time I went, I sat down with my burrito and strawberry agua fresca with a good book as minutes flew by, culminating into an heavenly experience. The atmosphere was a comfortable buzz, as patron walked in and out, but with warmth that allowed quality time to be spent.
It tears my heart to see any family business with so much personality lose its memories to yet another Starbucks or McDonald's as if there weren’t enough of those already. So my recommendation is to go out, explore and support those local businesses around you and you might strike gold.