>>“The economic value of new buildings in replaceable in cities,” Jacobs writes. “But the economic value of old buildings is irreplaceable at will. It is created by time. This economic requisite for diversity is a requisite that vital city neighborhoods can only inherit, and then sustain over the years
This is true whether the destruction of the old is because of subsidized “Revitalization” or economic starvation by forced shutdowns (hello Coronavirus) or riots.
And what replaces it is an urban strip mall with a Starbucks, sneaker store, “Barnes & Noble”, and GAP.
Make everyplace the same. Make everyone conform to the mediocrity. To get everyone onboard promote FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Have you had the candied pepper blue cheese burger for $20 yet? All of your comrades have already social media checked in that they beat you to it!!!
I expect these book stores were going to survive this China Virus.
That’s why they’re burned.