Change in ownership

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.)