Hi everyone! It’s Wednesday, and it’s time for another post in the Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge hosted by Long and Short Reviews. If you would like to participate in the challenge, you can find the list of topics for 2026 here. If you’re interested in reading other people’s responses to this week’s topic, you can do so here.
Stores or Other Physical Places I Wish Still Existed
Book shops. Book shops, Book shops.
There used to be loads of bookshops between my town and the next two towns over…. Now there are only two. I love a good bookshop. Not that I get out much these days, but I love the smell of new books just as much as I love the smell of old ones.
Woolworths
Woolworths was a shop I spent a lot of time in growing up. It was a place you could find just about anything from cans of pop to Christmas lights. I bought many cassette tapes from there. Including the singles ‘Living la Vida Loca by RickyMartin, ‘If You Had My Love ‘ by Jennifer Lopez and Alanis Morrisette’s album ‘Under Rug Swept’.
Finally, I miss Netto of all places.
Netto was a Danish value supermarket that, in the 90s and 2000s, sold items like bread for 19p per loaf and cans of baked beans for 8p. At one point, you could get Pizzas for 30p. In 2010, Netto was sold to Asda (Walmart).
For my mum, who was feeding a family of six, Netto was a lifesaver. Now… man, what I wouldn’t give for grocery prices to go back to those of the early 2000s. It’s so expensive for three of us these days… I’m glad we’re not six!
Well, that’s post 27 down!
As always, thanks for stopping by to read my words. I appreciate it so much.
Until next time,
George
© 2026 GLT
Categories: life, Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge
GEORGE L THOMAS 
There used to be an independent bookshop in my city. It had been around for decades. Sadly it couldn’t survive the rise of shopping malls and had to close. When I went to say one last goodbye, it had already shut its doors. There was a note taped to the window:
“So long, and thanks for all the fish…”
I think that was the first time I ever cried because a place was gone.
Bookshops deserve to survive.
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Aw. That’s too bad. I think the rise of online commerce helped to kill off many book shops as well. Its such shame.
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You are right. And I am part of the problem too. I buy most of my books online because they are much cheaper. Now I feel awful…
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I do it too. Don’t feel bad. Its just the way of the world these days. 😊😊
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Yeah, bookshops are disappearing fast! It’s sad.
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I know. Everything is online and more accessible now.
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My hometown has an independent bookstore just because of the owner: he’s retired and financially comfortable, and he insists a town of our size needs a real bookstore. He hosts cultural events like book talks and the like, too.
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Aw, he sounds like a real good egg! 😊
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Netto is a new name to me, but you already know Woolworth’s made my list, too. So many fun memories there. I was telling Lydia that we have been blessed to see a resurgence here of indie bookstores, which has been very welcome.
Thanks for sharing, George. Enjoy your day!
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Thank you, Cheryl! I’m glad to hear that indie bookstores are making a bit of a comeback. I think people are craving more of that tactile experience when it comes to reading.
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