The ‘little-shop’ mentality/preference in Germany is rapidly disappearing and regular grocery-store operations are taking root in most all urbanized zones. Fruit and vegetable dedicated shops still survive, but the little-guy shops are rapidly disappearing (they can’t compete).
I look at this NY transformation coming in the next decade, and it’ll be the same way. Too much crime facing the little grocery operations, and regular shops with dedicated armed guards at the door will be the norm in another year or two.
I do agree....having a first-name relationship with your local little-guy grocery was the better deal, but that’s dying off now.
How strange! If I remember correctly, Aldi was there when I was there and a few Lidl were in existence. However, I don’t remember if that was in “the Zone” or in Berlin. I don’t remember either in Berlin