The old forge on my street is now a coffee shop, and it got me thinking.

When I was a kid, Mr. Henderson ran a real blacksmith shop there, shoeing horses and fixing farm tools. Now, with all the power hammers and online tutorials, it's mostly hobbyists working in garages. I miss the smell of coal and the sound of hammer on anvil echoing down the block. Back then, you'd learn by watching, but today, everyone starts with YouTube videos instead of apprenticeships.

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the_lucas7mo ago

Remember when places like that actually made useful stuff? Now every old workshop in my town sells overpriced candles or artisanal jerky. My uncle's old auto shop is a pilates studio, and all the cool tools are gone.

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lopez.ivan7mo ago

Wait, they got rid of ALL the tools from the auto shop?

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reese_bell7mo ago

The old hardware store on Main Street used to repair lawnmowers... now it sells scented soy candles for $25 each. @the_lucas is right, it's like every useful space is turning into a boutique. My town's losing its soul to overpriced clutter...

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