There used to be a 2nd hand book store in my neighbourhood that was obviously a labour of love. It was a tiny premises with a single proprietor, who opened at very odd hours. He was often open in the middle of the night and closed during the daytime.

I barely ever spoke to him, as I sensed he preferred it that way but he would sometimes unlock the door for me even if he didn't want any other customers.

Sadly, his store disappeared when the area became gentrified. It was just gone one day.

There seems to be very little space in modern cities for this type of thing anymore, and I miss it.