Beginning in 2002 there was a
noticeable change in the ownership of local corner markets here in
San Francisco. Before that date there were more than 112
Lebanese/Palestinian small grocery stores. In my neighborhood there
were four. Now there are none in my neighborhood.
The change was to upbeat, clean groceries owned by non-Arab people with cheerful dispositions. The new owners sell veggies, fruit, wines, flowers and organic snacks. The photos on the upper right and the left are examples of my nearest newly remodeled corner groceries.
The example on the lower right is the
classic Arab grocery. It had a steel gated fence, graffiti, the
owner/clerk was surly, the space was dark, the windows blocked with
signs and grit, few veggies, plenty of hard liquor, the checkout was
behind a closed counter walled in by a cigarette dispenser overhead
and lottery machines on both sides.
Why did we get this change in business?
My guess is that after the 2001 New York suicide bombings the Arab
corner groceries looked more ominous and less convenient.
The Arab owner of the corner store closest to me must have complained because the neighbors responded by paying for a mural on the outside showing people of all colors and religions... expect there was no Star of David and no skull caps. I live in a Lefty neighborhood. But even the Lefties couldn't keep the dark and grimy store open. (Click on the photo to enlarge it.)