This week, I interviewed Dave Feehan who runs the International Downtown Association. When I asked him which downtown comebacks have been the most surprising, he named Memphis, Miami Beach and Long Beach, California. The New York Times has also discovered the charms of downtown Long Beach, featured in today's Travel column "Day Out."

Retro Row is the focus of its admiration, with independent shops named Meow (vintage apparel), Vintage Collective (a 25-dealer mall), Liberty on Fourth, Sneaky Tiki Boutique, Xcape (midcentury modern furniture), and Portfolio Coffeehouse.

The power of independent retailers and restaurateurs is on display in Long Beach, Northern Liberties and Fishtown in Philly, South Main in Memphis, and communities all over America.

We'll be celebrating independent retailing at Book and Books this Thursday evening in Miami's Coral Gables.

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