I have recently discovered a website called The Bold Italic, a great hyperlocal project for San Franciscans. The website is developed by IDEO for Gannett, one of the largest media company in the United States.
As they describe it, their mission is to help people become better locals, equipping their members with rare local intel, backstory and potential adventures. Their writers are the Bold Locals, who are San Franciscans selected for their authenticity and their unique take on the city.
As a growing trend in cities, people are much more interested in discovering unknown destinations, activities, stores, restaurants as a result of being fed up with mass consumption. Like in old days, this is turning into supporting local merchants at the end.
The best thing I like about The Bold Italic is the way of telling story about local experiences; the real reason about why to go there from Bold Locals and the user friendly design for people to keep pieces of these backstories — a particular merchant, landmark, or product — in a personalized tab.
