Difficult to picture Paris streets without a newspaper kiosk somewhere close by. They have been around for 150 years and now it is hard to imagine being without them. Alas, change is here with the emergence of the internet. Too easy to just have a subscription online to read the newspapers and magazines on the iPad or smartphone. Yes, not the same, but..... Suddenly we realize that kiosks sell postcards, souvenirs, toothpaste or are just closed. City Hall says that there are still 350 left, but if we do not change our habits the day will come when there are no kiosks anymore.
Just last month a new idea took form and it may be a solution to keep the kiosks alive. There are no papers sold, but services which otherwise a doorman may provide are available. From walking the dog, watering the flowers, buying medicine, keeping the keys, changing lightbulbs etc etc they offer to be helpful for ca five dollars per 20 minute service. http://www.luludansmarue.org
One kiosk of this kind already exists and many more are planned.
Now it is up to the public to use it or .... to lose it.
