Part of what makes a vacation destination refreshing is the unique layout of unfamiliar shops and restaurants. The convenient mediocrity provided by fast food chains and so called “formula stores” is useful for saving time, but not for enjoying your time.

“We will fight this tooth and nail, to the last man,” said Alex Mancebo, a Back Bay resident. “If the applicants want to endure that, we’re ready to do it. We live here.”