Sunday Digest 169
"My old buddy, you're moving much too slow."
Welcome to The Sunday Digest — a free Sunday newsletter featuring long (and some short) reads, original columns, things I’ve saved over the last week, relaxing playlists, episodes releases, exclusive product drops, and more. Yes, you can reply to this email. I’d love to hear from you.
Sunday Read: Gen Z’s hottest club: The local dive bar
by Amanda Hoover for Business Insider
I’ve only been considered a ‘regular’ at one place in my life: the sandwich shop I grew up going to, Gurney’s. While they already know most of the local names that walk in, I had reached a level that I had only dreamt of previously: I could walk in and they’d just start making my sandwich. Unfortunately, this all stopped when my parents saw the house charge bill that summer and cut me off. Even today, though, I still get a firm handshake and two pickles at the register.
Despite my affinity for Frasier, I’ve never had some overwhelming urge to become a regular at a bar. Nevermind the fact that it feels like a slippery slope for me personally, but I just don’t drink regularly enough anymore to justify trying to get that ‘regular’ designation.
Luckily for me, the kids are alright. They’re even trying to become regulars at dive bars now. Here’s an excerpt from this week’s read:
But many of the best connections aren't those facilitated by an app or a formal program, and come as people seek out that homey, regular "Friends" feeling. Lynne Miller, a 35-year-old who lives in Ontario and works in marketing, says she set a goal for herself last year to become a regular somewhere. It ended up being Holly's Neighbourhood Cafe & Bar, where she sits in the same seat each week to work for a few hours at the same time on Thursday mornings (it's blocked off on her calendar, so she's fully committed). Miller has gotten to know other coffee lovers, the baristas, and the owner. "It's not for the 'Gram," Miller says. "It's because you actually crave a real-life community experience and connection."
Read in full here.
The Sunday Haiku: Sunday Stinks
Getting a flush face,
suddenly overheating,
need to go outside.
New Episode › Retail Therapy 142: Paper Thin Wine Glasses & Overpriced Sides
The steakhouse sides are soaring in price, why you need the thinnest possible wine glasses, McDonald’s giving the gift of caviar for Valentine’s Day, breaking down The Outfit from Jacob Elordi, PGA Tour’s Cashmere Keith and his five-button polo, and more.
Listen to Retail Therapy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and anywhere else podcasts are found. You can also follow Retail Therapy on Substack.
Things I Saved This Week
My Sunday To-Do List
I need to put away (1) the clothes from our Friday night ranch trip and (2) my Jerry Garcia costume from a birthday party I went to last night.
Some light organizing around the house.
Liverpool v. Manchester City this morning.
No Super Bowl plans as of yet, but I have a trick up my sleeve for some karaage chicken later. At the very least, I’ll end up watching the halftime show.
Rest. It was a social and busy Friday and Saturday from start to finish.
I’m in no rush this morning and I hope you feel the same,
Will
I learned about the McNugget caviar gimmick (let's be fair, that's what it is) from a girl on Mickey D's marketing team. She was talking about it on her TikTok channel and she got ripped to shreds in her comment section. To sum it up people were basically saying: "read the room... we want the dollar menu back and for your ice cream machines to be working." Listen, I am all for a fun and trendy marketing ploy but we are living in some desperate economic times. This may have been a little tone deaf to their customer base. Would love to know your thoughts! And if you do get your hands on this things, I expect a full review.