How bad is the economy?

How do every day citizens measure how bad this economy really is – do we
consider the number of layoffs, the balance of our retirement accounts, the
price for a gallon of gas, or the budget for our holiday shopping? The truth is we use all those things as a measure and many more!

I received a
list of store closing in an email from a friend today and was taken back a bit.
I could not imagine that so many stores were closing at the same time. I did a
Google search to see if the information in the email was accurate – not only was
it accurate, it was even worse than the email list.  Here are two links
to read about more stores planning to close down completely or some of its
stores this year.

• AOL Money
• Retail Info Systems News

Here is a list of some
of the stores that plan to close stores in the near future... I added a sampling
of the numbers but the links above will tell the story about the hundreds that
will be closing.

• Circuit City
• Ann Taylor plans to close 117 stores 
• Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, and Catherine's to close 150 store nationwide 
• Eddie Bauer
• Cache
• Talbots 
• J. Jill 
• GAP 
• Footlocker closing 140 stores 
• Wickes Furniture 
• Levitz 
• Bombay 
• Zales closing 105 
• Pier One Imports closing 25 stores 
• Friedman's Jewelers closing 120 
• Whitehall 
• Dell closing 140 stores 
• Sharper Image closing 90 stores 
• Piercing Pagoda 
• Disney closing 98 stores 
• Home Depot closing 15 stores 
• Macys to close 9 stores 
• Linens and Things 
• Movie Galley 
• Pacific Sunware 
• Pep Boys Closing 31 stores 
• Ethan Allan closing 12 stores 
• Rite Aid closing 28 stores 
• Sprint/ Nextel closing 133 stores 
• JC Penney 
• Ethan Allen closing 12 stores 
• Sharper Image 
• K B Toys 
• Loews 
• Dillard's 
• Wilson’s Leather

Watch those store money cards, gift cards and
credit slips! If you have one (or many) in your wallet, it may be time to visit
these stores and use them now!

Now there are many stores on this list
that I have been a loyal customer of for many years. I also know lots of my
neighbors and friends that work at these stores and will be without a job if
they close. I don’t know if we can stop the large stores from closing, but I do
know who we might be able to help. As I looked at the list, I couldn’t help but
think of all the “home town” shops that need our support this year. Visit your
local downtown shops when you are out holiday shopping. The stores of Main
Street are part of America and they need your support.

Here’s hoping
that few stores close, less people lose their jobs and that as a nation we get
back on track soon. I have faith that we will, but it will take all of us doing
the right thing to succeed!

- Janet