I lived on N. 49th for almost 10 years up until a few years ago and I always took 46th St. Station. 52nd is much, much better than the open air drug market that it used to be, way less crowds now, but it can still be sketchy at times.

For those unwilling to read, it was in the first line of official gas stations in The U.S. There is historical context here, not many of them survived.

People get older and trends change. Much of the Philly that I knew in my 20s is gone, but we all age, drink less, and socialize less as time goes on. Nothing lasts forever no matter how much we want it to. Old haunts can't stay in business on good memories alone. You're not responsible for keeping it alive.

How is it these days? I loved Sugar Mom's back in the day (R.I.P.), but Tattooed Mom's was my other favorite. I haven't been there in nearly a decade since I now live out in West Philly and, well, I'm not 22 and much of a big drinker anymore. I'm curious if the vibe's changed much at all.

Not to mention we'll be knee deep into a recession come election time. Woe unto whomever gets elected.