Thursday, January 21, 2010

Treasures of the Past

Many of Brentwood's oldest treasures have either disappeared or are on the verge of disappearing. These features added to the charm and the comfort of the neighborhood, and native Brentwoodians can't help but shed a few tears.
The closing of Dutton's Books, for example, was a very sad day. It was one of the only independent bookstores left in the area - a friendly place neighbors could walk to on Sunday mornings when they craved a good novel. I for one was planning on working at Dutton's as soon as I turned 16 - but its fate was already set in stone. What was most remarkable about Dutton's was that their clerks knew every book in the store by heart. Nothing was computerized except for the archives, and what computers they did own were like 90s bricks. It was a homey, comfortable place - but now it's gone.
Another Brentwood treasure that just isn't the same anymore is the Brentwood Country Mart. While it still exists, it has become more of an upscale and trendy place to shop, rather than the kid-friendly hang-out it used to be. There was a toy store, a children's clothing store, an even BETTER candy store than there is now, and an ice cream store that used to make the best smoothies.
But now these places are gone - lost forever in the graveyard of the past. Who knows if that neighborhood charm will ever return?

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