Mallification

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The space that once housed the legendary H&H Bagels is going to become a Verizon store. Inspired by that factoid, writer and Upper West Side native Thomas Beller tries to come to terms with the arrival of empty, glowing corporate storefronts all over the city. He writes: "I had no doubt about what would replace H&H. It’s almost like when you break up with someone and are sure they are going to get together with that one perfectly awful person. And they do." [The New Yorker]