If you have ever been to a Spanish city, you would have seen the typical newsstand on many streets.
The newsstand is an important part of the 'barrios' in Spain. Every Spaniard has, or had, a relationship with the local 'quiosquero', or, in other words, the man or woman that sold the newspapers and magazines.
The 'quiosco' is far more than a newsstand. It is a place that becomes part of you daily routine here in Spain, like buying a loaf of bread or going to the local market.
Yet the majority of Spanish newsstand have their days numbered.
We all know why this is. People just don't but newspapers anymore, right.
Or at least I don't. I haven't bought a paper for years.
That's not to say that I haven't bought anything from a 'quiosco'. I bought some cough lollies and a bottle of water just last week.
And this how these emblematic stands can survive: by turning into a well-positioned convenience store.
In the main tourist areas, newsstands have turned into souvenir stands. They still sell magazines, but good luck finding them for the t-shirts, cups and postcards.
So there just might be some respite for an otherwise dying business.
In places where tourists are scarce, sell what the public demands.
The Chinese are doing it successfully, so why not the 'quiosqueros'. They have the perfect location and plenty of people passing by.
But are they willing to do the hard work?
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