Google maps likes to make search as easy as it can, so they just finished the worldwide rollout of local search results on a map, which will now appear even when you don't type in a location. When you search on Google and will guess where you are and show results near you.
How Google maps know your location?, they match your IP address to a broad geographical location. You can also specify your likely location using the "Change location" link on the top right corner, above the map. Google maps try to make our guesses as good as they can be so that whether you're shopping for [sporting goods] or [flowers], or looking for your [bank], or the [post office], you can just say what you want, and Google maps try to find it right where you are. You can also search for specific stores or street addresses near you, like [cornelia st cafe] in New York, for example.
Or [111 8th ave] in New York.