The low-tox living movement gains momentum, U.S. pizzerias are dwindling, and the New York City MetroCard is discontinued after three decades. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
New York’s MetroCard dead at 31
Photo courtesy of jovannig/Adobe Stock
After nearly 32 years, New Yorkers have swiped their MetroCards for the last time. New Year’s Day marked the official discontinuation of the iconic pass, making way for both the OMNY card and tap-to-pay options. A symbolic funeral was even held last week in Washington Square Park. While some of us are mourning (and writing our representatives) about the end of the 30-day unlimited pass, others are wistful for the artistic and promotional platform the MetroCard provided. The Guardian reminisces on commemorative launches for the Mets, Yankees, David Bowie, Olivia Rodrigo, and the Notorious B.I.G. New York TV shows like “Seinfeld” and “Law & Order” even got in on the action. It remains too early to tell what kind of fun OMNY has in store for us, so I guess we’ll just have to go along for the ride.
Americans are eating less pizza
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
In news that somehow feels ominous, Americans are eating less pizza. According to The Wall Street Journal, pizzerias are now outnumbered in the national restaurant typology by coffee shops and Mexican food eateries. This reflects an ongoing decline in pizza sales in the broader fast-food market. WSJ also reports that chains like Pizza Hut and Papa John’s are considering sales amid uncertain futures. California Pizza Kitchen even sold last month to an investor group for under $300 million—that’s $470 million less than what it sold for after going private in 2011. Despite the number of U.S. pizza restaurants continuing to shrink since its record peak in 2019, Americans still generate $31 billion in annual pizza sales, per 2024 metrics. This writer accounts for about $1 billion.
Your home may be trying to kill you
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
As if you don’t have enough to worry about already, your home is also filled with toxic stuff that can poison you—yay! Architectural Digest reports on the “low-tox” movement to replace everything from furniture to cookware in an effort to rid our daily lives of microplastics and chemical compounds. Consumer interest has tripled according to trend forecasters at WGSN, with social media popularizing the practice to a range of different audiences. With science backing up fear of overexposure to hazardous chemicals in our indoor environments—even in small doses—increased awareness of alternatives not only yields better consumer habits but also healthier lifestyle choices for us all.
Obama Presidential Center unveils new details
Photo courtesy of the Obama Foundation
The text of Barack Obama’s “You Are America” speech adorns the crown of the Obama Presidential Center museum and library in Chicago’s Jackson Park in newly revealed imagery. The speech was delivered by the former U.S. president on the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches in 2015. “The President has described his speech at Selma as one of his most meaningful because it best captures his idea of what America should be, and the need for each generation to take up the baton and advance the work of those who came before,” says museum director Dr. Louise Bernard. The project, designed by New York-based Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, remains on track for its spring 2026 completion. Installations from Maya Lin and Theaster Gates will debut upon opening as well, Archinect reports.
Submit to the 2026 HD Awards!
Moxy Banff in Canada, a 2025 HD Awards winner in the Lifestyle Hotel category; photo by Doublespace Photography
As of today, January 9th, you officially have one month left to submit to the 22nd annual HD Awards before the February 9th deadline. Honoring the most outstanding and innovative projects and products in the industry, the 2026 awards ceremony will be held on May 5th in Las Vegas as part of HD Expo + Conference. For consideration in any of the 32 project categories or 15 product categories, entries must have debuted between December 1st, 2024 and February 2026. Stay tuned: As judges for both products and projects will be announced soon. Learn more—and see you in Vegas!
