My dad was described as a “downtown kind of guy.” He loved to walk through the Minneapolis skyways at noon. Strolling through the department stores and walkways on his way to lunch, he’d say hello to people he knew, and give us the details:  “I went to school with him in Duluth…his son plays in the Edina High School Varsity Band…” And he had his favorite stops for errands –  drop off dry cleaning, replace a watch battery and mail a package - as well as  for conversations.

Downtown Spokane has a similar heartbeat: Riverfront Park, favorite eateries, upscale shopping and the I-need-to-mail-a -package post office, in a favorite, historic, 102-year-old building.  

Today, the United States Postal Service announced it will be vacating that sacred space next year for a yet- to-be-determined location.

These transitions from the old to the unknown mark our contemporary climate and remind us of life’s inherent uncertainty; a transition for a "downtown kind of person" now needing a new routine for errands and conversation. And that lovely building seeking new first-floor tenants.  

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