Density. Wealth. Some developers with a vision for the unique. You end up with the perfect place for a food roadtrip -- eat beautifully and then carry loot back to the motherland.
Belvedere Square is a small development in northern Baltimore. One side has stores. The other side basically has a spectacular food court -- a sushi joint, a bakery, an Italian grocery, Atwater's for soup, then even a stand that specializes in smoked food. Roadtrip there on a weekend morning to eat, shop and nose around.