With so many ways to stay plugged into online communities, it's difficult to disconnect and build on the face-to-face ones.
However, two Steveston shops are keeping it old school, speaking to the growing popularity of vinyl records and second-hand books in the face of iTunes and e-books.
Both The Beat Merchant Record Store and Village Books and Coffee House provide an opportunity to join a community of music lovers or avid readers.
In this day, their products also make for unique gifts with a personalized touch.
"I think it's great when I see people buying gifts for others," said Angela Hill, who co-owns Village Books with her husband Ron. "Looking for a book takes time, it becomes a very personalized gift."
In the same vein, a record can be the perfect gift, according to Frankie Nielson, owner of The Beat Merchant and self-proclaimed music lover.
"It's a fantastic gift," he said. "For a music lover, there's nothing better than discovering a band you've never heard of before, and liking it. You just have to feel out the person's tastes and then anything along the same lines as that, should be fine."
His store is covered wall-to-wall with records and CDs, just as Village Books is filled with novels, nonfiction, short stories and poetry.
Both owners see the desire for a tangible and collectible item part of the reason people are sticking to books or going back to their record piles.
"A woman came in the other day and said, 'I've spent thousand of dollars on iTunes, but have nothing to show for it,'" said Neilson.
"They want something tangible to add to a collection."
Much of the resurgence in vinyl interest was sparked by younger generations who rummaged through their parents' old collections and prefer the warmer sound.
And Neilson is sure to tell them that listening to records is a different experience than being on the go with an mp3 player.
"I tell them they need to go home, switch off the TV, turn off their phones, pour themselves a drink, and listen for about 20 minutes," he said. "After that, you'll need to get up and flip the record anyway, so then you pour yourself another drink."
Each store also becomes a venue for a community, a gathering of sorts for customers to share interests and recommendations. It adds a social aspect to somewhat solitary activities.
Every customer who walked into The Beat Merchant one Friday afternoon, didn't leave without talking to Nielson about favourite bands and albums.
Hill often finds out about new books from her customers, as well.
"There are a lot of avid readers around here," she said. "I overhear strangers talking to each other about books they've read or the reaction they received when giving a particular book as a gift."
Village Books also encourages readers to exchange their used books for store credit, adding to the community sense.
"Even if it's a book they didn't like, they often say, 'But I'm still glad I read it,'" she said.
The store is soon to be getting new releases to add to their collection.
