Friendly Neighbors

Along Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia:
In the normal course of American book culture, an independent store will have an knowlegable and friendly cat on staff. But Bindlestiff Books (at left) chooses to sell its radical and labor history, progressive children's, and local interest books without feline involvement. If the bookstore shoud ever be invaded by mice, however, a remedy would not be hard to arrange, since the Baltimore Pet Shoppe, also independent, not only sells pet food and supplies, but also presents cats to the public for adoption through City Kitties. The pair of stores gently compliment the block and the neighborhood, which is filled with Asian and African stores and restaurants, cafes, a brew pub, along with yoga and acupuncture studios and a theater. For over twenty years I have been more than content to call this little place my home.