# Finding the nearest store

October 9, 2026 · Docs

A new section, [Finding the nearest store](https://developer.layout.link/reference/carts#nearest-store), says how to find the store closest to the person before you build a cart. The quickstart and the cart example now build with a `placeId` rather than a restaurant name and a city.

## Why it matters

Coordinates measure distance from the person. A city sent as `near` measures it from the centre of that city instead, so the first result is not necessarily the closest to the person. A neighbourhood or landmark is usually not placed at all. (Corrected 2026-10-10: this entry first said a `near` search carries no distance.) And a street address sent as `near` on `POST /v1/carts` is read as the store's own address, so sending the person's home address there builds at whichever branch matches it, which may not be the nearest.

## What to do

- Ask for location permission and send the device's coordinates as `lat` and `lng` to [GET /v1/places](https://developer.layout.link/reference/api#get-v1-places).
- Without permission, ask for a street address, turn it into coordinates with your platform's geocoder, and send those.
- Use a city name only when you have nothing better, and let the person choose from the results. Turn a ZIP code or neighbourhood into coordinates first.
- Build with the `placeId` of the store the person picks.

## Breaking changes

None. No endpoint or field changed.