It seems one inherent facet of inhabiting New York City is adapting to its ever-changing environment. 

Decades ago, New York City was synonymous with getting robbed, graffiti-covered subway cars, hip-hop that was positive, political, funny, and progressive all at once. 

You used to be able to get a coffee and the paper for less than a dollar. You hear it all the time: 

"Man, New York ain't what it used to be." 

From over 8 million perspectives, we're extremely self-conscious about the ongoing changes in our city. To some, it's getting better, to others, we're losing our heart. 

People blame city politics, terrorism, tense relations between NYPD and our city's citizens. People also blame aliens, the Illuminati, and "illegal aliens." Many project their distaste for the way the face of NYC is changing to the force that shall not be named. 

The g-word. Gentrification. It's a reality that we're all both precipitating and victims of this-- at the same time. 

[anad]

It's like "The Nothing" in The Never Ending Story-- just moving across the universe consuming the diverse whimsicality around us and turning it into a faceless/voiceless/void, like the Upper East Side.

And now, it's becoming clear that one of our bastions of NYC-ness, the ubiquitous bodega, seems to be going the way of the do-do bird. With rising rents, especially in Upper Manhattan, lots of shop owners are being pushed out. 

The New York Times points out, "About 75 [bodegas] have closed this year, mostly in Harlem, Inwood and Washington Heights, according to Ramon Murphy, president of the Bodega Association of the United States."

By nature of the fact that there is indeed a 'Bodega Association of the United States,' we can all agree that their disappearance needs to stop.

If we're left with no alternative to Rite Aid, Duane Reade, 7-11 or other giant chain convenience stores-- we will have lost one of our most defining qualities. 

Neighborhood shops need to stay. They anchor communities. They're where you get your bacon, egg and cheese. Are we really going to let them disappear?

Hell nah. Go to your local bodega right now and get some off-brand ice cream, a fresh white t-shirt, and three individual eggs. 

Trust us. You bodeguero will thank you.

Check out 21 of the Greatest Essentials You'll Ever Find at a NYC Bodega.