‘Tell Me a Story’ is the first instance of what hopes to be a running series of short stories about the places that we each call home. Each story is an attempt to explore possibilities in the city that may help to reimagine what could be possible in our own reality. It’s about people and their shared experiences. It’s about the places that we share together and the places that we call our own. It’s about the history of neighborhoods and the intersection about how those same places could evolve.

It’s about me. It’s about you. It’s about all of us together.

Begin

Change can feel tricky. On one hand, you might love the familiar comfort of your neighborhood just the way its always been; quiet streets, familiar houses, and routines you’ve known for years. But on the other hand, think of your favorite corner store in a different neighborhood, the one where you grab coffee on Sundays or buy bread that tastes better somehow just because of the walk it took to get there. Can those same people and places exist in my neighborhood? What could they offer? Is it possible?

–

On a day much like today, a neighbor opens a cozy little corner store down the street in the new building that just finished construction. You’ve been skeptical, maybe even worried it’ll upset the delicate balance you’ve grown comfortable with. But curiosity eventually gets the better of you. You take a short walk to visit and the owner, a familiar face who lives just a few doors down, greets you by name.

They’ve stocked your favorite brand of ice cream. Maybe they even suggest one of their favorites, something new that you didn’t realize you’d love. You spend a few minutes chatting at the register and realize that even though you’ve seen each other in the neighborhood, you’ve never interacted more than just some quick pleasantries. It’s a short walk home, something nice in the evening after a long day’s work and what seemed like an even longer commute. It feels nice to walk around for a bit and have a meaningful conversation with someone.

Soon, the store becomes part of your daily rhythm, a quick stop on the way home, a reason to walk instead of drive. You bump into neighbors more frequently, turning polite nods into friendly chats. It becomes a small anchor, subtly knitting the neighborhood together.

Over time, inspired by this warm little shop, others start seeing opportunities nearby. A cozy bookstore takes the lease next door hosting local authors and weekly readings.

A café soon follows with the best sidewalk brunch and bloody mary’s in the city. It invites people to slow down, linger, and form deeper connections one eggs benedict at a time. Spurred by the neighborhoods walkability and it’s own popularity, the same cafe opens a walk up coffee window. It’s amazing coffee, because of course it is! Without any hesitation, it’s the place you stop off at each morning before work.

Without even realizing it your neighborhood feels richer but not in a monetary sense, but in community and warmth.

Yes, new faces appear, drawn by this gentle, welcoming energy. Renovations and new development bring fresh perspectives, but thoughtfully designed and integrated, they blend seamlessly into the neighborhood’s character rather than disrupting it. Local businesses create local jobs and circulate money back into the community, encouraging more people to invest their lives here.

And somehow, this increased density doesn’t take away, it adds. Streets feel safer, sidewalks buzz pleasantly with life, and children discover friendships simply by stepping outside. Even the most hesitant residents might notice that, far from erasing the neighborhood’s charm, this little corner store has quietly magnified it.

–

We are all seeking meaning, connection, and a place to call home. The places we call home and neighborhoods we share play such an important role in these in achieving these aspirations. New ideas are inherently challenging and sometimes difficult to imagine the final outcome. New ideas are also exciting. They can be responsive to emerging cultures and reactions to different ways of living. Change doesn’t have to be drastic, it just has to be intentional. And sometimes, its as simple as stepping into a friendly corner store, right in your own neighborhood.