*Everyday Chatter

The East Village's Whole Earth Bakery to close December 31 after 34 years in business. [EVG]

Coney Island's Surf Avenue to become a miserable, soulless chain-restaurant mecca--"the zoning was written to attract" Hooters, Outback Steakhouse, Applebee's... [ATZ]

Berliners use bricks and anger to fight back against gentrification--and get called fascists for it. [Guardian]

Who are the people who can't live without chain stores? Ben Katchor puts them in a comic strip. [BK]

Locals responding to Santacon in the East Village. [HNY]

Pop quiz: Identify this sad and faded bit of street art...


"Is Manhattan’s literary night life, along with its literary infrastructure (certain bars, hotels, restaurants and bookstores) fading away?" [NYT]

Enjoy the latest chapter in Karen Lillis' bookstore memoir. [KSPL]

Go see "My Brooklyn" in DUMBO. [MB]

Tribeca then and now, the 1980s and today. [TC]

Remembering the Penn Terminal Hotel. [NYN]
Riding the Nostalgia Train. [Gothamist]

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